In a regressive move, the Hungarian parliament has passed a law that bans Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify participants.

The law, which passed with 136 votes in favor and 27 against, is the latest in a series of measures taken by the right-wing government of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to crack down on the country’s LGBTQ+ community.

The law amends the Hungarian law on assembly to make it a crime to hold or attend events that violate Hungary’s controversial “child protection” legislation. This law prohibits the “display or promotion” of homosexuality to minors under the age of 18. Attending a prohibited event will incur fines of up to 200,000 Hungarian forints (US$546), which the state must allocate to “child protection”.

The new law has been met with outrage by human rights groups and opposition politicians. Budapest Pride organizers have called the law “fascist” and have vowed to fight for “the freedom of all Hungarians to express themselves.” Opposition lawmakers reacted by shouting, lighting flares, and playing the former Soviet Union anthem as the vote took place.

The new law is the latest in a series of attacks on the LGBTQ+ community in Hungary. In 2021, the government passed a law banning same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples. The government also amended the constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Hungarian government’s crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community has been condemned by human rights groups and foreign governments. The European Union has launched legal action against Hungary over the country’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws.