ungary’s controversial Child Protection Law, criticized for its perceived anti-LGBT stance, will be examined by the European Union’s Court of Justice in Luxembourg this Tuesday. The law, which aims to protect children from sexual offenders, has drawn sharp criticism for restricting content related to homosexuality and gender reassignment in materials directed at minors.
The law’s critics argue that it wrongly equates paedophilia with homosexuality and threatens children’s rights to healthy development and free expression. Eurochild, a children’s rights organization, has expressed concern that the law creates a climate of fear, ultimately harming the very children it seeks to protect.
The European Parliament has condemned the law, citing its negative impact on democracy and rule of law in Hungary. Despite the backlash, Hungary has defended the law, referencing a 2022 referendum where the majority of respondents supported the government’s position, though the referendum did not meet the required voter turnout.
In December 2022, the European Commission referred Hungary to the EU Court of Justice, claiming the law violates fundamental EU rights. Fifteen EU nations have joined the case, including Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, as third parties.
The law draws inspiration from Russia’s “anti-gay propaganda” law, which was deemed unlawful by the European Court of Human Rights in 2017. The upcoming ruling could set an important precedent for future cases involving national laws and EU human rights protections.
