Tag Archives: history

Hungary supreme court rules police ban of pride march unlawful

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Hungary supreme court rules police ban of pride march unlawful

The Hungarian Supreme Court ruled on Saturday that a police ban on the annual Budapest Pride march is unlawful since there was no legitimate goal behind the ban on the march.

The state, the defendants in this case, relied on a recent amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary to support their position to ban the Pride march. The defendants argued that the objective behind the ban was to protect children, echoing one of the provisions in the amendment that states all other interests and laws can be overruled in the name of protecting children. However, the court held that no evidence banning the Pride parade would protect children. Similar demonstrations had been allowed to take place in the past few weeks without police bans or interference, and it was not evident to the court how the Pride parade in particular endangered the safety of children. The case will not be referred to the European Court of Justice since the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs.

The controversial amendment was passed in mid-April of this year, effectively banning LGBTQ+ public events. The amendment to the law also denies gender identity, stating that sex changes are not recognized in Hungary to protect the stability of the family and to create an environment that is protective of children’s development.

In late March, thousands of people protested in Budapest against the amendment, but after its proposal by the national-conservative political party, Fidesz, it made its way to being passed.

Hungary’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws have also been at issue with the EU. As of last week, 20 of the EU’s 27 member states issued a joint declaration accusing Hungary of violating the EU’s fundamental values through these laws and policies. Furthermore, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Fidesz have been the subject of debate in the EU for allegedly violating the rule of law and the EU’s fundamental values.

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Colombia urged to close gap between LGBT rights laws and lived realities amid rising violence

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Colombia urged to close gap between LGBT rights laws and lived realities amid rising violence

While Colombia has made notable progress in protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse (LGBT) individuals, the country must urgently address widespread discrimination and violence still faced by these communities, a UN human rights expert has warned Friday.

The UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, concluded a fact-finding mission across multiple Colombian cities. In his statement, Reid praised the government’s commitment to equality and its legal reforms, but emphasized the stark disconnect between institutional progress and the daily lived experiences of LGBT individuals.

“Despite these positive developments, many LGBT people continue to experience discrimination and violence in their daily lives,” Reid said. “This is particularly acute for trans women and for those who face intersecting forms of marginalization as migrants, Indigenous persons, youth, or persons with disabilities.”

Reid’s visit comes at a time when other international bodies are raising serious concerns about the broader human rights situation in Colombia. A recent report from the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances revealed that enforced disappearances remain a systemic issue—especially in regions under the control of illegal armed groups—often affecting migrants, activists, and community leaders, including LGBT advocates.

Similarly, a November 2024 report by ABColombia and Colombian grassroots organizations shed light on the disproportionate violence faced by women, girls, and the LGBTQI+ community. The report highlighted how decades of conflict have embedded gender-based violence into everyday life, with Afro-Colombian and Indigenous women particularly affected. It noted the use of extreme cruelty in attacks on LGBT individuals and the alarming number of women human rights defenders killed in recent years.

“Violence against those who stand up for equality—including LGBT advocates—is not only a tragedy but a significant barrier to progress,” Reid said. He underscored the importance of comprehensive data collection, civil society collaboration, and policies that go beyond legislation to address structural inequality and social stigma.

Reid’s full findings will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2026.

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Japan high court declares denial of same-sex marriage unconstitutional

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Japan high court declares denial of same-sex marriage unconstitutional

Japan’s Nagoya High Court ruled on Friday that the country’s lack of legal recognition for same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. This ruling marks the fourth consecutive high court decision to declare the current government policy unconstitutional following similar verdicts in Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.

The appellants argued that the current provisions of Japan’s Civil Code and Family Registration Act, which do not recognize same-sex marriage, violate Article 14, Paragraph 1, and Article 24, Paragraph 2 of the Japanese Constitution. The appellants also sought damages of 1 million yen in accordance with Article 1, Paragraph 1 of the State Redress Act, as they were unable to marry due to the government’s failure to take necessary legislative action.

In its ruling in favor of the appellants, the court stated that same-sex relationships have existed naturally even before legal marriage, and that the societal acknowledgment of such personal relationships as legitimate is a vital legal interest tied to personal dignity, extending beyond specific legal frameworks for marriage and family.

Additionally, the court held that same-sex couples face disadvantages in various aspects of social life that cannot be resolved through civil partnership systems. These include housing-related disadvantages, such as restrictions on renting properties; financial institutions refusing to recognize same-sex partners as family members for mortgage applications; and disadvantages in accessing products and services designed for family relationships. However, the court said that although the relevant provisions are unconstitutional, the government’s failure to make legislative changes is not illegal under the State Redress Act.

This large-scale class action lawsuit, dubbed “Freedom of Marriage for All,” involves more than 30 plaintiffs and around 80 lawyers, with six lawsuits filed in five courts nationwide. This is the first class action lawsuit for same-sex marriage, as Japan remains the only Group of Seven (G7) country that has yet to legalize same-sex marriage, despite persistent lobbying from the LGBT community and its supporters.

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