HUNGARY has a new constitution, and “it mirrors many of the things that the Reactionary Right want to enshrine in the United States”, writes Bridgette P LaVictoire on the LezGetReal blog.
The new constitution bans same-sex marriage, does not protect LGBT people or the aged from discrimination, basically bans abortions by granting rights to foetuses from conception onward, and has removed many of the legal protections designed to prevent rampant economic corruption.
HUNGARY has a new constitution, and “it mirrors many of the things that the Reactionary Right want to enshrine in the United States”, writes Bridgette P LaVictoire on the LezGetReal blog.
The new constitution bans same-sex marriage, does not protect LGBT people or the aged from discrimination, basically bans abortions by granting rights to foetuses from conception onward, and has removed many of the legal protections designed to prevent rampant economic corruption.
The new constitution has sparked massive protests throughout the nation, including one that drew 10,000 people in Budapest.
Viktor Orban, above, the leader of the ruling Fidesz party, has been dubbed “the Viktator” due to his leadership style and the way in which the constitution was written. Last April, the constitution was passed by 262 votes to 44 with 80 members of parliament boycotting the whole process. It is unlikely that the constitution will meet international legal standards, nor the various charters involved in the governance of the European Union.
The Hungarian organisation of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights said last year the constitution ‘expresses a preference for an explicitly defined family model, a certain way of life and conveys the message that it does not wish to become the constitution of those who wish to pursue a different way of life.
In an editorial entitled Back to Autocracy?, The Times highlighted the discrimation against gay couples and said the constitution:
Is an extraordinary affront to basic liberties.
The Hungarian organisation of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights said last year the constitution:
Expresses a preference for an explicitly defined family model, a certain way of life and conveys the message that it does not wish to become the constitution of those who wish to pursue a different way of life.
Hungary decriminalised gay sexual acts in 1961 and allows gay couples to register their partnerships but does not allow them to adopt. Since 2002 it has had an equal age of consent and gay people may serve in the military.
Hat tip: BarrieJohn
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