Queer politics in Hungary | Before the parade in Budapest: Ready for the banned Pride

Three days before the "Budapest Pride" on June 28, which was banned by the Hungarian government, the NGO Algorithmwatch and other organizations published a petition to the European Parliament . The petitioners called on the EU to enforce the AI ​​Regulation, which prohibits the use of facial recognition in public spaces for surveillance purposes.

The reason: In March, Viktor Orbán's government passed a law that, among other things, bans pride parades . Anyone participating in such a gathering can be fined up to 200,000 forints (just under 500 euros). To enforce this, the police were authorized to use live facial recognition even for administrative offenses .

Algorithmwatch sees the law as a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Hungarian LGBTQIA+ community. The case demonstrates that AI systems can be misused to criminalize entire groups and restrict their rights. Therefore, the NGO is calling for a national ban on biometric facial recognition in Germany as well. Another petition, calling on the German government to take action at the EU level against the Pride ban, has now garnered nearly 100,000 signatures . It was submitted by the "Free Hungarian Embassy" (FUB), an association of Hungarian exiles committed to the rule of law in their country of origin.

The opposition mayor of the Hungarian capital, Gergely Karácsony , responded to the ban by redesignating Budapest Pride as a municipal festival; in his view, this does not require police approval. "With this, Budapest is reviving its former tradition of celebrating freedom every June and commemorating the withdrawal of Soviet troops," it said in a statement. It continued: "This year's Budapest Freedom Day celebration is titled 'Budapest Pride'."

The police continued to classify this "Freedom Festival" as a gathering and banned it. According to a letter from the German Embassy in Budapest, which was obtained by "nd," the Hungarian government reiterated on Tuesday that it also classifies the currently planned Pride event as a prohibited gathering. Algorithmwatch pointed out to "nd" that even attending a Pride parade is a criminal offense under Hungarian law. Therefore, the NGO fears that the police will consider themselves justified in persecuting participants in an event organized by the city.

Whether and how the Hungarian authorities will take action against Budapest Pride remains to be seen. Despite the uncertain legal situation and the threat of penalties, numerous activists and politicians from across Europe have announced their participation.

Joint trips are also planned from several German cities. The FUB is organizing a bus trip from Berlin. Over 110 people have registered for two buses, Dániel Fehér told "nd." Green Party members of the Bundestag and the European Parliament are organizing a trip from Cologne. Trips to Budapest are also planned from Hamburg and Munich, Fehér said.

While the FUB points out the low probability of being identified among large crowds and that EU citizens generally cannot be identified by facial recognition, it nevertheless provides a fund for potential fines, which consists of donations.

Organizers say a record number of international guests have announced their attendance at the 30th Budapest Pride. Among them are said to be 70 members of the European Parliament.