These are new stages in two offense procedures launched against this country, in the cropper of Brussels for its damage to the rule of law.
Le Monde via AFP and Reuters
The European Commission seized the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), the highest community jurisdiction, against Hungary due to a law which breaks the rights of LGBTQ (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans Trans and queers) and its refusal to renew the Klubradio license, a critical government radio.
“The Commission considers that the law violates the rules of the internal market, the fundamental rights of people (in particular LGBT +persons) as well as (…) EU values”, she stresses in a press release . This is a new step in the offense procedure launched against this country, which can lead to a conviction of the CJEU, or even to financial sanctions.
There is no place for discrimination in Europe Against People Based on their sexual orientation and gender identity… https://t.co/cb4fvitopr
Hungary adopted, in June 2021, a law prohibiting “the representation or promotion” of homosexuality and the change of sex with minors, which had aroused indignant reactions, in particular from European leaders. The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, had spoken of “shame” and the European executive had launched the offense procedure in July 2021.
The Hungarian Prime Minister, the nationalist and conservative Viktor Orban, whose country is in the crosshairs of Brussels for its attacks on the rule of law, assures that the law is not homophobic and aims to “protect the rights children “.
Independent radio Klubradio Private antenna
The European Commission also seizes the CJEU against the national regulator’s decision to deprive an antenna independent radio Klubradio, seen as a new blow to the pluralism of the media. Klubradio, whose guests often criticize the government and who only emitted in line, was forced to stop issuing more than a year ago. The European executive had launched an offense procedure on this subject in June 2021.
“In the EU, the largest democratic space in the world, no free radio should be deprived of antenna for non -objective reasons, on the basis of a discriminatory administrative procedure”, reacted the European Commissioner to the Interior market, Thierry Breton. A spokesman for Mr. Orban government said that there was no problem with media freedom in Hungary and that it was not true that the government had closed the station.
Hungary was again pointed out in the latest report of the Commission on the rule of law in the EU, presented on Wednesday. Brussels activated in April a procedure which can lead to the suspension of the payment of European funds to this country, due to concerns about the conditions of public procurement, a lack of control and transparency of the use of funds, shortcomings in the fight against fraud and corruption.
The concerns of the Commission on the rule of law are also at the heart of the blocking of the Hungarian recovery plan, in the amount of 7.2 billion euros in European subsidies.