30.10.2026 22:40
In Hungary, the controversial legislative amendment prepared under the leadership of former Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government and paving the way for banning Pride events was passed in parliament despite opposition protests. The regulation, implemented on the grounds of protecting children, introduces harsh sanctions such as heavy fines for those participating in banned demonstrations and tracking via facial recognition technology, while opposition lawmakers protested the decision by throwing smoke bombs.
The legislative amendment paving the way for a ban on Pride events organized by the LGBT community in Hungary was accepted in parliament by 136 votes to 27. Under the regulation prepared on the grounds of protecting children, events deemed potentially harmful to children may be banned. During the vote, opposition MPs protested the decision by setting off smoke bombs in parliament.
THE WAY HAS BEEN PAVED FOR A BAN ON PRIDE EVENTS
The Hungarian Parliament accepted the legislative amendment supported by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government on 18 March 2025. The regulation made it possible to prevent meetings and demonstrations deemed contrary to child protection legislation, which prohibits the promotion or encouragement of homosexuality or gender change to persons under 18 in the country.
Thus, the way was paved for the banning of public events related to LGBTQ+ rights, especially the Pride marches held in the capital, Budapest.
FINES FOR PARTICIPANTS, FACE RECOGNITION MEASURE
Under the law, the way was paved for imposing fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints on those participating in banned events. In addition, authorities were granted the power to use face recognition technology to identify people participating in prohibited events.
While the Hungarian government defended the regulation on the grounds of protecting children, human rights organizations reacted, stating that the law restricted freedom of expression and assembly.
SMOKE BOMB PROTEST IN PARLIAMENT
While the bill was being debated, opposition MPs staged a protest by setting off smoke bombs in parliament. As the general assembly hall was covered in colored smoke, the vote resulted in 136 votes in favor and 27 against.
Budapest Pride organizers also reacted to the regulation and announced that they would not give up on holding the event.
THE BAN DEBATE CONTINUES IN 2026 AS WELL
With the new regulation made in Hungary in October 2026, some anti-LGBTQ+ provisions in the 2021 child protection law were removed. However, the restrictions in the freedom of assembly law, which formed the basis for banning Pride marches, remained in force.