{ "title": "EU court rules Hungary\u2019s \u2018anti-LGBT\u2019 law breaks core values", "modified_at": "2026-04-21 16:59:59", "published_at": "2026-04-21 13:16:00", "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/eu-court-rules-hungarys-anti-lgbt-law-breaks-core-values", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/EkDd", "culture": "en_BE", "language": "EN", "slug": "eu-court-rules-hungarys-anti-lgbt-law-breaks-core-values", "body": "

Europe’s top court has ruled that Hungary’s 2021 law restricting LGBT-related content for minors breaches European Union law and its fundamental values.

The Court of Justice of the European Union said the legislation, often described as an “anti-LGBT law”, is discriminatory and undermines basic rights. Judges found it violated EU treaties, several directives and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

The law, introduced under prime minister Viktor Orban, bans the promotion or depiction of homosexuality, gender transition or non-traditional gender identities to under-18s across schools, media and advertising.

In its ruling, the court said the measures interfered with key freedoms, including the right to provide services and the freedom of expression. It also found a “particularly serious” breach of rights such as human dignity, privacy and protection from discrimination based on sex or sexual orientation.

\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n Orban\u2019s defeat could shift EU dynamics \n \n
\n The election loss of Viktor Orban after 16 years in power marks a significant moment for the European Union. His defeat raises hopes of smoother...
\n \n \n \n belganewsagency.eu \n
\n
\n

Crucially, judges ruled that Hungary had violated Article 2 of the EU treaty, the first time the court has made such a finding on its own. This article sets out the bloc’s core principles, including respect for human dignity, equality and human rights.

The court said the law “stigmatises and marginalises” LGBT people and links them to criminal behaviour, which could encourage hostility.

It also found the legislation breaches EU data protection rules by allowing overly broad access to sensitive personal data.

The case was brought by the European Commission, backed by several member states (including Belgium) and the European Parliament.

Rights groups welcomed the decision, calling it a landmark for LGBT protections in Europe. They urged Hungary to repeal the law and related measures, including restrictions on Pride events.

 

The Pride Parade in Budapest in 2021 © PHOTO FERENC ISZA / AFP

Related news

\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n Foreign minister Pr\u00e9vot supports Budapest Pride but calls on participants to be vigilant \n \n
\n Foreign minister Maxime Pr\u00e9vot has announced that he \u201cfully supports\u201d Saturday's Pride parade in the Hungarian capital Budapest. The Pride parade...
\n \n \n \n belganewsagency.eu \n
\n
\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n Mini Pride march in Brussels calls for right to demonstrate in Hungary \n \n
\n A mini Pride march organised by Amnesty International took place on Wednesday in Brussels in response to the ban on Budapest Pride. The NGO, which...
\n \n \n \n belganewsagency.eu \n
\n
\n", "header": { "large": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c0bae2ea-b547-477e-ad17-f414f0bd06a7/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/", "release": "https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c0bae2ea-b547-477e-ad17-f414f0bd06a7/-/preview/1200x1200/-/format/auto/" }, "links": [ { "description": "Orban\u2019s defeat could shift EU dynamics", "url": "http://prez.ly/KSBd" }, { "description": "Foreign minister Pr\u00e9vot supports Budapest Pride but calls on participants to be vigilant", "url": "http://prez.ly/5rpd" }, { "description": "Mini Pride march in Brussels calls for right to demonstrate in Hungary", "url": "http://prez.ly/Bfpd" } ], "author": { "first_name": "Flanders", "last_name": "News Service" }, "format_version": 5 }