Hungary cannot continue to stigmatise LGBTQI+ community – Carroll MacNeill

Hungary must uphold the ‘Rule of Law’ and better protect the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary and across the European Union, a Fine Gael Minister has said.

Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire & Minister for European Affairs and Defence, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, has today raised concerns with her Hungarian counterpart in Luxembourg at a General Affairs Council meeting attended by European Affairs Ministers from across the Union, at a time when Ireland and Europe celebrates Pride Month.

Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “Ireland’s Embassy joined many others in celebrating Budapest’s Pride events last Saturday (22 June) and alongside the European Parliament, Ireland is amongst a majority of Member States to support the Commission in its infringement proceedings over the so-called ‘Child Protection’ Law that Hungary passed three years ago this month.

“The basic reality is that the Hungarian government has been deliberately confusing homosexuality with paedophilia – it is the central element of the government’s unrelenting campaign against the LGBTI+ community. Over the past year, the stigmatising effects of that law have become increasingly apparent, notably in the restrictions placed on depictions of LGBTQI+ persons in books, cultural institutions, and in the media.

“For example, under the law, Hungarian state authorities have fined several independent bookstores for presenting children’s literature.

“I asked Hungary’s Minister János Bóka to explain how security is strengthened through such stigma? How contrary to the Council of Europe’s Commissioner of Human Rights, the Venice Commission and others, Hungary still holds the law to be consistent with our Article 2 commitment of ‘‘respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities?’’

Jacob Whelan, Chair of Fine Gael LGBTQ+, welcomed Minister Carroll MacNeill’s comments, and said: “The rights of the LGBTQ+ community and those of other minorities, are core European values. By raising this issue with European partners, we can continue to build a more equitable and just European Union.

“Recent events at home and abroad remind us that progress cannot be taken for granted and that more work remains to be done. We must redouble our efforts and I am encouraged by Minister Carroll MacNeill’s commitment to this issue. Ireland’s past shows that positive change can be made when we work together for the betterment of all, and the development of justice and equality.”

Minister Carroll MacNeill added: “Ireland is committed to human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is important that we take every opportunity to stand up for these values at home and among our European Community. Hungary takes over the Presidency of the European project on July 1st. But this does not absolve them from the strongest of scrutiny by Ireland and like-minded Member States on this most important aspect of fundamental rights and respect.”