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Banned from now on: Drag queen at an LGBT demonstration in front of the Hungarian Parliament (archive image from 2020)
Photo: Bela Szandelszky / dpa
The EU Commission will deal in detail with a controversial Hungarian law that prohibits "advertising" for homosexuality or gender reassignment among minors.
She was "very concerned about the new law in Hungary," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday evening on Twitter.
"We check whether it violates relevant EU law."
The bill was introduced by the Fidesz party of right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and passed in parliament on Tuesday.
Educational programs on homosexuality or advertising by large companies that declare their solidarity with homosexuals should therefore be banned in the future, as well as educational books on the subject.
Advertising by companies like Coca-Cola, which campaigned for gay rights in Hungary in 2019, is now banned under the new law.
Books about homosexuality are also no longer permitted.
Popular films such as "Bridget Jones - Chocolate for Breakfast", "Harry Potter" and "Billy Elliot" are only allowed to be shown late in the evening with a release from the age of 18 according to the new case law, according to the television station RTL Klub Hungary.
Critics see this as a massive restriction on freedom of expression and children's rights.
"I believe in a Europe that embraces diversity and not one that hides it from our children," said von der Leyen.
"Nobody should be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation."
Possible steps by Brussels against Hungary "will depend on what we find," said a commission spokeswoman.
It must first be examined "in which aspects the law respects or does not respect European legislation, EU principles or the Charter of Fundamental Rights."
She recalled that in November the Commission had presented a strategy against discrimination and hate crimes against sexual minorities.
The EU commissioner for equality, Helena Dalli, had indicated in an initial reaction which sanctions could threaten: The law could lead to a reduction in EU payments to Hungary.
Hungary had already taken action against homosexuals and others in December with a legislative package that met with international criticism.
Among other things, it stipulates that the sex of birth cannot be changed and it prohibits homosexuals from adopting children.
oka / AFP
