Pécs Pride Organizer Faces Criminal Investigation
Géza Buzás-Hábel, a prominent gay Roma teacher, human rights activist, and organizer of Pécs Pride, is currently under criminal investigation in Hungary. He faces potential charges for 'organizing a prohibited assembly' following the Pécs Pride march held on October 4, 2025. This development marks what human rights organizations describe as the first known instance in the European Union of a human rights defender facing criminal prosecution for organizing a Pride event.
Police questioned Buzás-Hábel as a suspect on October 28, 2025, and his case has since been forwarded to the Office of the Chief Prosecutor for a decision on formal charges. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to one year.
Legislative Amendments Criminalize LGBTIQ Assemblies
The charges against Buzás-Hábel stem from legislative amendments adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on March 18, 2025, which came into effect in April 2025. These amendments to the Act LV of 2018 on the right of assembly explicitly prohibit gatherings that 'promote or display any deviation from a person's gender at birth, as well as gender reassignment and homosexuality.'
Under this new legislation:
- Organizing such events is now considered a criminal offense.
- Participants in prohibited assemblies can face fines of up to €500.
- The law also permits the use of facial recognition technology to identify attendees and organizers.
The Pécs Pride march proceeded despite a police ban that was upheld by the Supreme Court. Thousands participated in the event.
Broader Context of Anti-LGBTIQ Legislation in Hungary
This recent legal action is part of a broader trend of anti-LGBTIQ legislation in Hungary. It builds upon the Act LXXIX of 2021, often referred to as Hungary's anti-LGBTQ law, which prohibited the sharing of LGBTIQ-related information with minors. Critics, including Amnesty International, have condemned the current investigation as an 'undue interference in the exercise of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination under European and international human rights law.'
Human rights organizations have highlighted that this case represents a troubling escalation in the criminalization of LGBTIQ expression and peaceful assembly within Hungary.
5 Comments
Africa
Peaceful assembly is a fundamental right. This prosecution is unacceptable!
Bermudez
The government's stated intent to protect children from certain content is understandable, but criminalizing peaceful expression for adults seems like an overreach. There must be a less draconian approach to upholding societal values while respecting fundamental freedoms.
Habibi
Hungary has every right to protect its traditional values and culture.
ZmeeLove
This situation highlights a deep ideological rift within Hungary and with its European partners. While legal action may seem decisive in the short term, it rarely resolves underlying societal tensions; dialogue and compromise are ultimately more productive for long-term peace.
Muchacho
Good. Laws are laws. If it's banned, it's banned.