Hungary: Budapest free to celebrate Pride again, but Orbán-surveillance machine still in place

This year, Hungarians can celebrate Pride openly. For the first time in history, there are rainbow flags on the streets and bridges of the Hungarian capital.

The police have officially acknowledged this year’s Budapest Pride march on Saturday (27 June), marking a sharp departure from the previous government’s hostility. After years of attacks on LGBTQIA+ people and on the freedom of assembly, this change matters. It deserves recognition.

Yet celebration cannot obscure the central challenge. The laws that criminalise Pride participation and enable biometric surveillance of protesters remain in force.

The question now is whether Péter Magyar’s new government will turn its public support for Pride into legal reform by dismantling the anti-Pride infrastructure inherited from Orbán.

Read full article: Hungary: Budapest free to celebrate Pride again, but Orbán-surveillance machine still in place

Date:
20 July, 2026

Type of Update:
In the News
Recent Events

Themes:
Activism
Courts Systems
Fees and Fines
Human Rights
Public Health
Protests
Use of Public Spaces

Countries:
Hungary

Regions:
Europe

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