In light of escalating tensions surrounding the upcoming Budapest Pride march, Belgium’s government has issued updated travel advice for its citizens planning to visit Hungary. The guidance comes just a day before the event, scheduled for Saturday, highlighting the need for caution among participants.
Belgian government’s advisory details
Belgium’s foreign ministry emphasized the individual responsibility of those participating in demonstrations that are unapproved by Hungarian authorities. In a formal statement, the ministry advised potential attendees to remain vigilant and to stay informed about the latest developments through media outlets and the embassy’s social media platforms in Budapest.
“We advise any participants to exercise the necessary vigilance and to keep up to date with the current situation through the media and social media of the embassy in Budapest,”
Furthermore, the ministry urged people to maintain a safe distance from any counter-demonstrations that may occur. Should disturbances arise, participants are encouraged to adhere to the directives of local law enforcement.
Background on the march and legislative context
The travel advisory follows a controversial decision from Hungarian police, who on June 19 prohibited the annual LGBTQ+ march citing a law passed earlier in March that prioritizes the protection of children over the right to assemble. This legislative move has drawn significant criticism internationally.
In response to the newly enacted law, both the United Kingdom and Canada have revised their travel warnings for Hungary, indicating that participants in the Pride event could face legal repercussions or fines. The new regulations empower police to utilize facial recognition technology to identify attendees at such gatherings.
On May 26, a coalition of at least 16 European Union member states, including the Netherlands, Germany, and France, jointly condemned the ban on the Pride event, calling on the European Commission to intervene.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her support for the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary, urging the authorities to allow the march to proceed. In a video statement, she declared,
“I call on the Hungarian authorities to allow the Budapest Pride to go ahead. To the LGBTIQ+ community in Hungary and beyond: I will always be your ally.”
In sharp contrast, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán criticized these calls for intervention, labeling them as overreach by the EU. He insisted that the European Commission should not interfere in the legal matters of member states, stating,
“We are adults, and I recommend that everyone should decide what they want, keep to the rules … and if they don’t, then they should face the clear legal consequences.”