Hungary bans Pride events

BUDAPEST (AP):

Hungarian lawmakers have passed a law banning Pride events and allowing the authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees, continuing a crackdown by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing populist party on the country's LBGTQ+ community.

The measure passed in a 136-27 vote yesterday. The law, supported by Orban's Fidesz party and their minority coalition partner the Christian Democrats, was pushed through parliament in an accelerated procedure after being submitted only a day earlier.

It amends Hungary's law on assembly to make it an offence to hold or attend events that violate Hungary's child protection legislation, which prohibits the "depiction or promotion" of homosexuality to minors under 18.

The authorities may use facial recognition tools to identify individuals attending a prohibited event.