Written answers

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Human Rights

Photo of Marian HarkinMarian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

826. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions his Department and the Government are taking to address the recent laws passed by the Hungarian Government repressing LGBTIQ+ rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39694/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned about this recent change to Hungary’s laws and its potential to harm the rights and freedoms of the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary, particularly young people. Statements by myself and the Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne T.D., following the Hungarian Assembly’s passage of this legislation, made clear Ireland’s concerns about this attack on LGBTQI+ rights in Hungary.

On 14 July, I also responded directly by letter to Hungary’s Minister of Justice, Judit Varga, to reiterate our strong concerns about the recent changes to the law and called on the Hungarian government and parliament to reconsider the introduction of the law in line with their obligations under Article 2 of the EU Treaties and the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Ireland co-signed a declaration led by the Benelux countries at the June General Affairs Council meeting which expressed grave concern at Hungary’s use of child protection as a pretext for introducing measures that violate freedom of expression and other rights as enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and unjustifiably target the LGBTQI+ community.

Ireland also actively participated at the Article 7 hearing on Hungary’s adherence to EU values at the June General Affairs Council. We made clear our view that legislation of this kind was fundamentally incompatible with EU values.

An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, also joined with fifteen of his EU counterparts in co-signing a statement on 24 June at the European Council meeting, vowing to continue fighting against discrimination towards the LGBTQI+ community and reaffirming their commitment to the defence of their fundamental rights.

Ireland also supports the recent action by the European Commission to send a letter of formal notice to the Government of Hungary, the first step in EU infringement procedures, in connection with the recently passed legislation. I hope that the Hungarian government will engage constructively with the European Commission as part of this formal procedure. My Department will continue to monitor developments in connection with this ongoing process.

In addition, our Embassy in Budapest has actively supported statements of concern made locally by like-minded partners and has registered its deep concern about this law and its implications for equality and human rights. The Embassy coordinated this year’s statement by Embassies in Hungary supporting the Budapest Pride Parade and also attended the Parade, which took place on 24 July, in order to demonstrate support and solidarity with the LGBTQI+ community in Hungary.

Ireland will continue to engage on this issue and will reiterate our call for the Hungarian Government to reconsider the introduction of this law.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.