Hungarian MPs are on Monday expected to approve a new constitution which defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman only, and, although purporting to reflect the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, omits 'sexual orientation' as a legal grounds of discrimination.
Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford, who is an active member of the European Parliament lesbian & gay rights intergroup, said:
"Hungary's ruling Fidesz party cannot just have overlooked the need to protect LGBT people from discrimination. This omission is the deliberate result of a retrogade populist agenda."
"The enshrining in the constitution of a narrow definition of marriage is designed to rule out the kind of welcome social change that has seen not only civil partnerships but same-sex marriage become increasingly common in Europe and around the world."
"If they approve this partisan constitution, Hungary's politicians will be taking a huge leap backwards on gay rights. They will also set themselves on a collision course with European law on equality and on recognition of partnerships and marriages."
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