Amnesty International activists staged a mini-Pride on Wednesday, 25 June, in response to the ban on the 30th Budapest Pride, according to a statement from the organisation.
“Hungarian authorities must understand that they cannot violate the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, without consequences. Together, we will march in the heart of Europe to send a clear message: it is their duty to permit and facilitate a peaceful demonstration for LGBTQIA+ rights, free from intimidation, harassment, or violence,” stated Carine Thibaut, director of the French-speaking Belgian section of Amnesty International.
The march commenced from the European Parliament and concluded at the Permanent Representation of Hungary to the EU. Participants included members of LGBTQIA+ rights groups and political and European representatives.
Simultaneously, an international campaign named “Let Pride March” was launched by Amnesty International. This initiative follows the enactment of a Hungarian law, on 18 March 2025, banning public marches. The new legislation also allows the government to utilise facial recognition to target participants.
This law continues the legacy of the 15 June 2021 law aimed at “adopting stricter measures against paedophile offenders and modifying certain laws to ensure the protection of children.” It restricts minors’ access to content or adverts that promote views contrary to the Hungarian government’s stance on gender identity based on birth sex, sex change, or homosexuality.
The law is considered contrary to EU law by the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice, as expressed in an opinion issued on 5 June 2025. This view aligns with an ongoing case, following the European Commission’s move to bring Hungary before the Court of Justice for violating LGBTQIA+ rights. Belgium and 19 other EU member states signed a joint declaration in May urging the European Commission to take decisive action.
