Worthy Christian News > World News > Hungary Approves ‘Anti-Gay’ Constitution

Hungary Approves ‘Anti-Gay’ Constitution

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News reporting from Budapest

(Worthy News) – Hungary has adopted an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The legislation also loosens oversight of public funds despite corruption concerns and detailed rules governing war times.

Monday’s constitutional change stipulates that “a mother is a woman” and “a father a man.” Under new rules, singles must get adoptions approved by the family affairs minister, known for promoting traditional family values.

The amendment also targets transgender people to “protect the child from mental or biological intervention affecting their physical and mental wellbeing.” It follows this year’s new law against gender change in personal documents. Additionally, the new constitution forbids ideological battles in children’s books showing diversity positively.

The amendment, backed by the conservative nationalist government, passed through Parliament in a partisan vote with 134 in favor, 45 against, and five abstentions.

Critics questioned the timing, with the opposition unable to organize large protests due to an ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Rights groups and opposition legislators condemned the amendment saying it limits the rights of same-sex couples and transgenders.

WESTERN IDEOLOGY

However, the new constitution framers suggested that the amendment was urgent. “Western ideology is changing in a way that necessitates guaranteeing the child’s right to self-identity in line with their gender at birth.”

The explanation text adds that “Hungary defends the right of children to identify with their birth gender. [It] ensures their upbringing based on our nation’s constitutional identity and values based on our Christian culture.”

Raising children according to Hungary’s “constitutional identity and Christian culture” will learn new generations about Hungarian identity. It will also “protect” Hungary’s sovereignty “as well as the national role of Christianity,” the new constitution says.

This is the ninth amendment to what the government views as a Christian-centered constitution which also calls marriage an exclusive “union between a man and a woman.”

“The goal is to protect our children, not to curtail the rights of certain social groups,” Justice Minister Judit Varga said in a statement about the amendment.

EU CRITICISM

The European Union and rights groups criticize the policies saying they limit LGBTQ rights and push conservative Christian values on society. “This is a dark day for Hungary’s LGBTQ community and a dark day for human rights,” claimed David Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary.

Prime Minister Orbán disagrees and says he defends Christianity. He has also come under fire from the EU for his language against Muslim immigrants who he claims threaten Europe’s Christian culture.

Besides family issues, the constitutional amendment stipulates that raising revenue and spending is the business of the state. Critics argue that formulation will make it more difficult to control public spending in a nation facing EU investigations over massive corruption cases.

Hungarian legislators on Monday also introduced the constitutional concept of the state of war, next to other special legal orders Parliament can declare. Orbán had faced opposition overruling by decree during the coronavirus crisis.

Commentators said the new constitution underscored Prime Minister Orbán’s move away from the European Union’s liberal mainstream. It comes days after the nationalist leader lifted his veto threat that, along with Conservative-run Poland, had held up the 27-nation EU’s $2.2 trillion budget and coronavirus rescue fund.

Both nations initially objected to tying funding to respecting rule of law standards. They changed their stance after they were allowed to file cases against the measure at the European Court of Justice, the EU’s top court.