Discrimination: EU takes action against Hungary and Poland

The EU Commission has initiated infringement proceedings against Hungary and Poland. Hungary had recently passed a law prohibiting young people from finding out about homosexuality.

In response to controversial regulations against homosexuals and transsexuals in Hungary and Poland, the EU has initiated infringement proceedings against the two member states. The EU Commission sent a corresponding letter to the governments in Warsaw and Budapest.

Information restriction on homosexuality

Most recently, a Hungarian law restricting information on homosexuality and “LGTBQ-free zones” in some parts of Poland caused outrage in the EU. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

“Europe will never allow parts of our society to be stigmatized: be it because of the person they love, because of their age, their political opinion or because of their religious beliefs,” said EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen.

In Hungary a law came into force last week that forbids “advertising” for homosexual and transsexuality. This also applies to books or films on this subject. Von der Leyen had called the law a “disgrace” and threatened legal action if the government did not correct the text.

Orban refused to withdraw the law

Hungary’s right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban refused to withdraw the law and in return accused the EU of an “unprecedented campaign” against his country.

For Poland, the Commission found that the country had not fully and adequately responded to its questioning about the declaration of so-called “LGBT-free zones” in some regions and municipalities.

Poland and Hungary now have two months to respond to the letter from the EU Commission. Otherwise the Commission can bring the case to the European Court of Justice.