The European Commission and 17 countries ask Hungary to respect freedom of assembly after banning a march against homophobia
The tension between the European Union and Viktor Orbán’s Government is escalating again. This week, the European Commission called on Hungary to guarantee the right of its citizens to peacefully demonstrate, following the recent police ban on a march against homophobia and transphobia. The decision, based on the so-called Propaganda Law, has unleashed a wave of concern in Europe.
The European Commissioner for Justice, Michael McGrath, was blunt when arriving at the General Affairs Council in Brussels: “Fundamental rights must always be respected. The right to peaceful assembly cannot be arbitrarily limited,” he declared. According to McGrath, the Commission is closely examining the legality of the rule that served as the basis for the veto.
A controversial law and a disturbing precedent
The so-called Propaganda Law—approved in March 2025 by the Hungarian Parliament, dominated by Orbán’s party—prohibits public gatherings that “promote” homosexuality or sex change, under the argument of “protecting minors.” Relying on this legislation, the authorities banned a march against LGTBIphobia scheduled for June 1, arguing that it violated public morality.
The consequences of participating in similar acts can be severe: up to a 500 euro fine and the possibility of being identified through facial recognition. It is not dystopian fiction; It is the legislative reality in today’s Hungary.
Europe responds: joint pressure to stop the decline
Spain, along with 16 other European countries—including France, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden—has signed a joint declaration in which it urges the European Commission to act urgently and use all available legal tools to reverse the ban. The text underlines that the measures adopted by Hungary contravene Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union, which establishes as community pillars the freedom, equality and human rights.
At the same meeting, some representatives, such as the Swedish Minister of European Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, regretted that the process to sanction Hungary has taken more than seven years without real progress. The Article 7 mechanism, which could suspend the country’s voting rights in the EU, remains blocked by the lack of unanimity, this time by Slovakia’s veto.
The Hungarian position: denial and justifications
From Budapest, the Hungarian Government insists that there is no explicit prohibition of Pride. Janos Boka, Hungarian minister for relations with the EU, has stated that this is a misinterpretation of the country’s legal and constitutional framework. “I hope this debate allows for a more nuanced understanding of our legislation,” he said.
But the facts contradict the words: the ban on the march and the fines provided for in the law suggest a clear attempt to make the LGTBIQ+ community invisible.
Towards a Russian model in Europe?
The situation becomes even more worrying when looking at the new legislative initiatives underway. Orbán and his party are considering a proposal to create a registry of NGOs that, according to their vision, threaten national sovereignty with foreign financing. The idea is dangerously reminiscent of the “foreign agents” law promoted by Putin in Russia, which has served to suffocate civil society for more than a decade.
It is not only an attack against LGTBIQ+ rights; It is an attack against all forms of dissidence and citizen organization.
Where is freedom in 21st century Europe?
Although the European Commission has announced that it will continue to closely monitor the steps of the Hungarian Government, the institutional response seems not to live up to the seriousness of the moment. How much longer can the European project endure without acting forcefully against those who undermine its principles? And what message is being sent to the rest of the world when a member country can restrict fundamental rights without real consequences?
A crack in European unity
It is inevitable to wonder if Brussels’ response will be sufficient or if, once again, the declarations will remain a dead letter. The defense of human rights should not be negotiable, but the slow progress of the file against Hungary suggests that political balances outweigh shared values. Can the Union afford to look the other way?
