Hungary’s Pride Ban a Disgrace – Ireland Must Take a Stand
Labour’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has strongly condemned the Hungarian government’s decision to ban LGBT+ Pride events, calling it a disgraceful attack on fundamental rights that runs counter to the values of the European Union.
Deputy Smith said:
“Hungary’s decision to ban Pride events is nothing short of an authoritarian attack on the LGBT+ community. It is a blatant attempt to erase visibility and roll back hard-won rights. Viktor Orbán’s government has repeatedly targeted LGBT+ people, and this latest move is an escalation in their assault on basic freedoms.
“This is not just a Hungarian issue – it is a European issue. The European Union was built on principles of democracy, equality, and human rights, and this decision flies in the face of those values.
“In Ireland, we know that progress on LGBT+ rights has been hard-won. We cannot allow that progress to be reversed anywhere in Europe. Pride is more than a celebration – it is a statement of protest, of visibility, of resilience, and of the ongoing fight for full equality. Banning it is a deeply regressive move that sends a dangerous message to those who seek to undermine LGBT+ rights everywhere.
“The Irish government must take a stand and condemn this action in the strongest possible terms. We cannot sit idly by while a fellow EU member state flouts fundamental rights. Tánaiste Simon Harris must call out this disgraceful decision and demand accountability from the Hungarian government.
“This is a moment for Ireland to show leadership. Silence in the face of injustice is not an option.”