Hungary Changes Constitution to ‘Help’ Children

Hungarian lawmakers this week amended the constitution to allow the government to ban public LGBTQ community events and temporarily revoke the citizenship of individuals who hold dual nationality, a move critics say is another crackdown on civil liberties, France 24 reported. 

The amendment, which required a two-thirds vote, passed along party lines with 140 votes for and 21 against. It was pushed by the ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition led by populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, with officials saying the measures are necessary to protect youth. 

The amendment says that children’s rights to moral, physical, and spiritual development supersede any right other than the right to life, including that of peaceful assembly, the Associated Press wrote.  

Hungary’s contentious “child protection” legislation prohibits the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to minors aged under 18.  

Critics say the amendment and the child-protection legislation comprise a ruse to justify the prohibition of LGBTQ events like the popular Budapest Pride week, attended by thousands, but which is also already banned by a law that allows authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify and fine those attending the festivities. 

They add that the measures do little to protect children and are being used to distract from more serious problems facing the country and to mobilize Orbán’s right-wing base ahead of elections in 2026. 

The amendment also sets a rule that individuals can only be classified as male or female according to the constitution, an expansion of a previous law prohibiting same-sex adoptions. 

Another change to the constitution allows the government to temporarily suspend the citizenship of Hungarian dual nationals – those from outside Europe – if they are considered dangerous for public order, public security, or national security. 

Analysts say the changes are in line with Orbán’s assault on government critics like media outlets and civil liberties groups, which he accuses of undermining Hungary’s sovereignty by receiving economic assistance from international donors.