The Orban government has banned Saturday’s Pride march in the Hungarian capital, leading LGBTQ+ activists from around Europe to buy a ticket to Budapest
The Belgian government has issued a travel warning for Hungary, in the midst of a European-wide outcry against the country’s banning of the annual Budapest Pride parade. The parade, scheduled for tomorrow, 28 June, will go forward, according to organizers.
The Hungarian parliament, under the leadership of hard-right prime minister Viktor Orbán, approved a law in March that makes illegal any assembly of people that “promotes homosexuality and sex change”. A month later, it codified the law in a constitutional amendment that bans LGBTQ+ gatherings and recognizes two sexes.
‘Legal consequences’
Many activists and members of the LGBTQ+ community are traveling to Budapest to take part in the parade, as a show of solidarity. Authorities in Hungary have made it clear that anyone participating in the parade is breaking the law and will receive fines of some €500.
Orban was more cryptic in his interview on Hungarian radio this morning, saying that there will be “legal consequences” for participants.
The parade’s organisers are backed by Budapest mayor Gergely Karocsony, who altered the structure of the Budapest Pride organization to the local level rather than the national, meaning the event does not need a permit from the police.
Belgium’s Department of Foreign Affairs has adapted travel advice for Hungary, stating that it was unclear under what circumstances Pride would take place and that participation is a punishable offence.
“We advise potential participants to exercise the necessary caution and to stay informed about the current situation via the media and the social media channels of the embassy in Budapest,” reads the travel advice. “In particular, for their own safety, participants are advised to keep their distance from possible counter-demonstrations and, in case of disturbances, to follow the instructions of the local police.”
You really do feel the repression of the Orban government here
VRT reporter Bram Vandeputte
VRT NWS journalist Bram Vandeputte is reporting live from Budapest. “You really do feel the repression of the Orban government here,” he told De Ochtend this morning. “Even people who are planning to march in the parade do not want to be identifiable in images. It’s very important to respect that because facial identification technology is going to be used.”
Vandeputte has spoken to several locals, who told him they are holding on to the idea of a better future. He spoke to the owner of a bookstore who said: “I’m following het rules because I’m worried I will lose my store otherwise. But I hope that democracy will return to us soon.”