‘A carbon copy of Putin's 2013 law’: Kildare Senator urges Government to support European Commission's court case against Hungary’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Law

A Kildare-based Senator has urged the Irish Government to support the European Commission's court case against Hungary’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Law.

Back in July of 2021, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban introduced a law that aims to prevent, detect and punish sexual criminal offences against minors — however, the law has been labelled by critics as anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda. 

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O' Loughlin said that the European Commission has engaged in an infringement procedure against the Hungarian Government, and has said the law violates internal market rules and the fundamental rights of individuals. 

She explained: "It is a Russian-style anti-LGBTQ+ propaganda law and is a carbon copy of Putin's 2013 law."

This refers to a law introduced in Russia, which according to the Humans Rights Watch, 'has increased social hostility (against members of the LGBTQ+ community).'

"The European Commission rightly says that this law violates Internal Market rules, the fundamental rights of individuals and EU values.

Senator Fiona O' Loughlin, Fianna Fáil

"Three NGOs have launched a petition to remind EU member states of their commitments, and they expect at least 20 EU countries to engage in these proceedings, which could be the largest human rights infringement proceedings ever brought in front of the Court of Justice of the European Union."

She concluded by saying that EU member states have until March 27 to provide written observations on the case, and called on the government of Ireland 'to be one of those countries who join this case in support of the members of the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary.'

In related news, Senator O' Loughlin also told the Leader that public transport infrastructure in Ireland needs to be improved and expanded 'before we can realistically discuss a congestion charge.'