Ursula von der Leyen has asked two commissioners to write letters to Hungary expressing the commission’s concern following the controversial legislative decision. Photo: Michael Sohn / AP / NTB
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The European Commission is threatening to sue Hungary after it passed a law restricting young people’s access to information about homosexuality and transgender people.
– The Hungarian law is a shame. I have asked the responsible commissioners to write a letter to the Hungarian authorities in which we express our legal concern before the law enters into force, said the head of the commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Wednesday.
– The law obviously discriminates against people because of their orientation. I want to use the commission’s authority to ensure the rights of all EU citizens, she adds.
May result in fines
In connection with a ministerial meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday, 14 EU countries have asked the commission to address the matter. The European Commission can sue if it believes a member state is violating the union’s laws. If the country does not provide a satisfactory answer within a given time limit, the case can go to the European Court of Justice and can lead to fines.
The law prohibits the production of sexual minorities – including gays and transgender people – in content aimed at children. It includes books, films and teaching materials.
Advertising that portrays gays and transgender people as ordinary members of society is also prohibited.
– To protect children
The controversial ban is part of a package that includes stricter penalties for sexual violence against children and young people and the creation of a “register of pedophiles”. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó defended the law on Tuesday, saying it was aimed at pedophiles and was intended to protect children. At the same time, the authorities say that parents have the exclusive right to raise and teach children about sexual orientations.
Sweden’s EU Minister Hans Dahlgren reacted strongly to Szijjártó’s explanation.
– We naturally completely distance ourselves from the link between pedophilia and the right to be who you want and have the orientation you want. It is grotesque, says Dahlgren.
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