Today the European Parliament  condemned Hungary’s recent anti-LGBTIQ+ legislation and denounced the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in the country.

In a resolution, adopted with 459 in favour 147 against, and 58 abstentions, MEPs described the law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights.

For the Left it is clear that EU laws are being breached, and that immediate action must be taken to protect the rights of children and LGBTIQ+ people wherever they are threatened.

Today’s vote was sparked by new rules introduced by the Hungarian government that restrict freedom of speech and children’s rights by banning LGBTIQ+ content from being featured in school educational materials or TV shows for under-18s.

The Parliament has repeatedly expressed its concerns about the lack of progress in the Article 7 processes in relation to the situation in Hungary and Poland, and about the continued deterioration of EU values.

Over the past year, we have witnessed right-wing governments and ultra-conservative forces in Europe attacking LBGTIQ+ and women’s rights, while advancing discriminatory measures. What Europe needs today is a united front to defend the values of inclusion and tolerance.

MEP Malin Björk comments for The Left: “Attacking LGBTIQ+ people’s rights is a central theme in Orbán’s ongoing dismantling of democracy and rule of law in Hungary. But we will not give up. We will keep on claiming our rights and this positive vote helps to keep the pressure on the European Commission and the member states to stand up and finally act decisively against far-right governments. We will never accept that anyone’s fundamental rights are trampled upon, regardless if the attacks are pointed at LGBTIQ+ people, women or migrants.”