Péter Magyar, the Prime Minister of Hungary, has announced a proposal for changes to the child protection law in the country. This law, which had been heavily criticized by Brussels and LGBTQ+ rights groups for its discriminatory clauses, was passed in 2021 under the government of Viktor Orbán.
History and Criticism
The law was initially enacted as a measure to protect children from pedophilia, but soon amendments were made that effectively banned the representation of homosexuality to children. This led to the removal of books, newspapers, and films from shelves and television programs. In response to international protests, the European Commission initiated legal proceedings against Hungary.
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Decision of the European Court of Justice
In April of this year, the European Court of Justice ruled that this law contradicts EU laws and views sexual minorities as a threat to society, harming their human dignity. Magyarsaid in an interview with national radio on Monday that the proposed changes would limit children's access to violent and sexual content while eliminating discrimination against sexual minorities.
Magyar also noted that the reform of the law would not only help protect children but also prevent financial penalties. He stated, "There is a good chance that the reform of the law, alongside stronger protection for children, will help Hungary avoid fines."
Future Plans and Cooperation with the European Union
The Prime Minister of Hungary stated that child protection, health, and education remain key priorities for his government. He emphasized that the reforms to the child protection law are aimed at unlocking more financial resources from the European Union. Magyar announced, "We can free up half a billion euros for educational support."
In response to a request for comment, the European Commission stated that it is still too early to assess the proposed reforms but confirmed that it is in close contact with the Hungarian government. The changes are expected to be presented to Parliament on Monday.
At the end of the week, Magyar also announced plans to ease restrictions on the adoption of children by same-sex couples, which had effectively been banned during Orbán's time.
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