Hungary to Amend LGBT Content Law After EU Court Ruling

Hungary will have to amend legislation restricting content related to the LGBT community after the European Court of Justice ruled that the measures had violated EU law, justice minister-designate Marta Gorog said on Tuesday.

The court ruled in April that measures introduced under Viktor Orban’s outgoing government unlawfully restricted access to LGBT content and contributed to the stigmatization and marginalization of gay and transgender people. The case has been one of several flashpoints between Budapest and Brussels over the rule of law and human rights, contributing to the freezing of billions of euro in EU funds.

Prime Minister Peter Magyar, who swept to power in an 12 April election that ended Orban’s 16-year rule, has pledged to repair ties with the EU and unlock the funds. Brussels, however, has said Hungary must take concrete steps to address concerns over democratic standards and minority rights.

“Hungary is a member of the European Union, which means that there are responsibilities on Hungary”, Gorog told a parliamentary committee. “This means that regarding this court ruling the justice ministry needs to carry out a lawful correction.”

She added that Hungarian legislation cannot exist in isolation and must reflect international and European legal standards, including common EU values.

LGBT rights were rolled back under Orban’s government, which said the rules were needed to protect children.

(reuters, max)