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Protest with the rainbow flag in Budapest against a planned law
Photo: MARTON MONUS / REUTERS
According to the EU Commission, a new law on the censorship of materials about homosexuality in Hungarian schools could lead to a reduction in EU payments.
In an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation on Tuesday, shortly before the vote in the Hungarian parliament, the EU commissioner for equality, Helena Dalli, referred to the action against regions in Poland that had declared themselves to be so-called “LGBT-free” zones.
"The message is: If you do not uphold the values of democracy or equality of the EU, you are not entitled to receive money for your project." The EU had withheld funds from several Polish cities.
The Hungarian parliament passed the law despite criticism from human rights groups and opposition parties.
Among other things, no content may be made accessible to minors that encourage homosexuality or a change of gender.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's Christian conservative party Fidesz linked the controversial draft to a law that stipulates severe penalties for pedophilia.
A year before the general election, Orbán is increasingly speaking out against lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) and migrants.
Fidesz has won three elections since 2010 with a clear majority.
According to surveys, however, the opposition parties that are now acting together are currently on par.
mjm / Reuters
