Richard Parks Hungary’s Child Protection Law, which has sparked widespread criticism for being anti-LGBT, will be presented before the European Union’s Court of Justice on Tuesday. The law, which originally aimed to protect children from sexual offenders, has drawn international outrage for banning depictions of homosexuality and gender reassignment in content aimed at minors under 18.
Critics, including children’s rights groups like Eurochild, argue that the law wrongly conflates homosexuality with paedophilia and infringes on children’s rights to healthy development and free expression. They warn that it fosters a climate of fear and harms the children it purports to protect.
The European Parliament has condemned the law, accusing Hungary of undermining democracy and the rule of law. Hungary has defended the legislation, citing a 2022 referendum in which most participants supported the government’s stance, despite failing to meet the required voter turnout.
In December 2022, the European Commission referred Hungary to the EU Court of Justice, arguing the law breaches fundamental EU rights. Fifteen EU countries have joined the case as third parties, including Germany, France, and Spain.
The law is inspired by Russia’s 2013 “anti-gay propaganda” law, which was ruled unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights in 2017. The upcoming EU court ruling could have far-reaching implications for the protection of LGBT rights across Europe.