In the EU country of Hungary, LGBTI+ activities have been banned. A new law will allow the use of facial recognition systems to identify and punish those participating in these events.

Hungarian lawmakers passed the controversial constitutional amendment in parliament.

The bill, supported by Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his right-wing populist party Fidesz, was approved by a vote of 140 to 21.

With the new law, the government is banning Pride events. Additionally, it opens the way for officials to use facial recognition systems to identify and punish participants in these events.

Orban claimed that the law, which he said aimed to protect the physical, mental, and moral development of children, only recognizes two genders and legally rejects other gender identities.

“CITIZENSHIPS CAN BE SUSPENDED”

According to The Guardian, Prime Minister Orban reiterated his claims of foreign interference in the country’s politics, while the amendment also gives the government the power to temporarily suspend Hungarian citizenship when it comes to dual citizens believed to threaten the country’s security or sovereignty.

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights group, described the amendment as a tool to “legalize fear.” In a statement, the Committee said, “These laws represent a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to suppress opposition, weaken the protection of human rights, and consolidate its power.”

The opposition Momentum party highlighted similarities with restrictions in Russia. Like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Orban has sought to portray himself as a defender of traditional family values, implementing policies such as preventing same-sex couples from adopting children and banning the mention of LGBTI+ topics in school curricula.

“LET’S NOT ALLOW THEM TO LEAD US DOWN PUTIN’S PATH”

Before yesterday’s vote, Momentum called on Hungarians via social media to blockade parliament to prevent lawmakers from passing the law. The statement read, “Let’s come together to stop them from leading us down Putin’s path and depriving us of our freedom.”

Opposition politicians and other protesters tried to block the entrance to the parliament’s parking lot, some using zip ties to chain themselves and were then removed by the police.