HUNGARY’S NEW CONSTITUTION ‘DISCRIMINATORY’

Human Rights Watch has slammed Hungary’s newly-passed constitution for being anti-gay and ‘enshrining discrimination’.

The social conservative constitution was passed on Monday by a vote of 262 to 44, with 1 abstention.

It includes provisions that could lead to discrimination against women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and people with disabilities, Human Rights Watch said.

“The ruling Fidesz members of Parliament pushed through a constitution that puts Hungary at odds with its obligation to uphold and respect human rights,” said Amanda McRae from Human Rights Watch.

The constitution includes restrictions on the right to vote for people with “limited mental ability” and a right to life for the foetus from the moment of conception, which could lead to the overturning of Hungary’s abortion law.

The constitution also defines marriage as between a man and a woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage, while implying that a family based on marriage is the only type protected by the state.

“This denies LGBT people access to state protection for their families and relationships, and is inconsistent with Hungary’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Union Charter on Fundamental Rights,” said Human Rights Watch.

The constitution must be signed by the presidency before it becomes law but Human Rights Watch urged Present Pál Schmitt to refer the law back to parliament for reconsideration.

“The Hungarian government’s commitment to human rights has already been called into serious question because of the deeply negative trends in media freedoms and the rights of minorities and migrants,” McRae said.

“If it goes through as is, the new constitution would add state-sanctioned discrimination against women, LGBT people, and people with disabilities to the list of human rights concerns.”