Current:Home > BackHungary won’t back down and change LGBTQ+ and asylum policies criticized by EU, minister says-LoTradeCoin
Hungary won’t back down and change LGBTQ+ and asylum policies criticized by EU, minister says
View Date:2024-12-23 18:18:44
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary’s government will not change policies the European Union believes infringe on LGBTQ+ rights and those of asylum seekers, even if doing so would unfreeze billions in funding the bloc has withheld from Budapest, a government minister said Thursday.
The EU has frozen funding to Hungary over concerns its right-wing nationalist government has trampled on minority rights and academic freedoms, failed to rein in official corruption and undermined democratic values.
The release of those funds has been tied to Hungary carrying out reforms to bring it into line with the EU’s democratic standards.
Gergely Gulyas, chief of staff to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, told a news conference on Thursday there were “limits” to reaching an agreement with the bloc’s executive, since modifying policies on LGBTQ+ and asylum rights would contradict the will of Hungarian voters.
“The Hungarian government is willing to reach an agreement with the Commission, but in cases where people have expressed a clear opinion, it would be undemocratic and unacceptable,” Gulyas said in Budapest, adding that there are “red lines” when it comes to reforms Hungary is willing to make.
“For Hungary, even despite the will of the European Commission, it is unacceptable to spread LGBTQ propaganda among children, and we also cannot abandon our position on migration issues,” Gulyas said.
The EU takes issue with a Hungarian law passed in 2021, which forbids the display of homosexual content to minors in media, including television, films, advertisements and literature.
The law, which has been decried by rights groups and foreign governments as discriminatory, also prohibits the discussion of LGBTQ+ topics in school education programs and forbids public display of products depicting or promoting gender deviation.
Hungary’s government has also implemented a policy of turning away asylum seekers at its borders and requiring them to begin their asylum process at Hungarian embassies in Serbia and Ukraine — a practice that was declared unlawful last year by the EU’s top court.
The EU in December released more than 10 billion euros ($10.9 billion) to Hungary after it undertook reforms to ensure the independence of its judicial system, but more than 20 billion euros remain frozen pending further legal changes.
On Wednesday, European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said those funds “will remain blocked until Hungary fulfills all the necessary conditions.”
veryGood! (1477)
Related
- Stock market today: Asian stocks dip as Wall Street momentum slows with cooling Trump trade
- Poland’s voters reject their right-wing government, but many challenges lie ahead
- How gas utilities used tobacco tactics to avoid gas stove regulations
- Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher announces 'Definitely Maybe' album tour
- See Leonardo DiCaprio's Transformation From '90s Heartthrob to Esteemed Oscar Winner
- New York judge rejects Indiana ex-U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer’s request to remain free pending appeal
- Aaron Rodgers made suggestions to Jets coaches during victory over Eagles, per report
- Gaza conditions worsen following Israeli onslaught after Hamas attack
- US Open finalist Taylor Fritz talks League of Legends, why he hated tennis and how he copied Sampras
- Here's why gas prices are down, even in pricey California, as Israel-Hamas war escalates
Ranking
- Bridgerton's Luke Newton Details His Physical Transformation for Season 3's Leading Role
- Violent crime down, carjackings up, according to FBI crime statistics
- Hefty, Great Value trash bags settle recyclability lawsuit. Here's how you can collect.
- Brock Bowers has ankle surgery. What it means for Georgia to lose its standout tight end
- DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
- Here are the Top 10 most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart
- Suzanne Somers' Husband Alan Hamel Details Final Moments Before Her Death
- Jada Pinkett Smith bares all about marriage in interview, book: 'Hell of a rugged journey'
Recommendation
-
After years of unrest, Commanders have reinvented their culture and shattered expectations
-
'We're not monsters': Community mourns 6-year-old amidst fears of anti-Muslim hate
-
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher announces 'Definitely Maybe' album tour
-
Here are the Top 10 most popular Halloween candies, according to Instacart
-
Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
-
Ja'Marr Chase Always Open merch available on 7-Eleven website; pendant is sold out
-
Los Angeles hit with verdict topping $13 million in death of man restrained by police officers
-
In Brazil’s Amazon, rivers fall to record low levels during drought