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BBC News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Hungary Pride to go ahead, as PM Orban threatens 'legal consequences'
A Budapest Pride march is expected to go ahead on Saturday, defying Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's legal threats against LGBTQ rights march organisers hope for a record attendance this year, despite mounting pressure from nationalist conservative politicians and police to stop any display of pro-LGBTQ have issued a ban, in line with a new "child protection" law that restricts gatherings considered to be promoting homosexuality.A day before the Pride, Orban downplayed the possibility of violent clashes between the police and participants - but warned those who go to face the possible legal repercussions. "Of course, the police could break up such events, because they have the authority to do so, but Hungary is a civilised country, a civic society. We don't hurt each other," Orban told state radio on Friday."There will be legal consequences, but it cannot reach the level of physical abuse."Attendees risk a fine of up to €500 (£427; $586), with police empowered to use facial recognition technology to identify could face a one-year prison equalities commissioner Hadja Lahbib, a former Belgian foreign minister, is in Budapest and expected to join the march, along with dozens of MEPs. On Friday, Lahbib posted a picture showing her standing with the liberal Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony in front of a rainbow flag symbolising gay Pride march "will be a powerful symbol of the strength of the civil society," she wrote on of the Pride, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asked the Orban government not to block the was unfazed, asking her "to refrain from interfering in the law enforcement affairs" of EU member countries.
Reuters
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Tens of thousands expected to attend Budapest Pride in defiance of ban
BUDAPEST, June 28 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ rights supporters are expected to attend the Budapest Pride march on Saturday, defying a police ban as the event has become a symbol of the years-long struggle between Hungary's nationalist government and civil society. Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the past decade, and its lawmakers passed a law in March that allows for the ban of Pride, citing the need to protect children. Opponents see the move as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of a general election next year when Orban will face a strong opposition challenger. Organizers said they expect tens of thousands to attend, with participants arriving from 30 different countries, including European Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib and about 70 members of the European Parliament. More than 30 embassies have expressed support for the march and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Hungarian authorities to let the parade go ahead. Seventy Hungarian civil society groups, including the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Transparency International Hungary and the Hungarian Helsinki Commission, published an open letter on Friday in support of the march, saying the law that led to the police ban "serves to intimidate the entire society". Budapest mayor Gergely Karacsony tried to circumvent the law by organising the march as a municipal event, which he said does not need a permit. Police however banned the event, arguing that it fell under the scope of the child protection law. Orban, whose government promotes a Christian-conservative agenda, provided some clues on Friday about what participants can expect when he warned of "legal consequences" for organising and attending the march. Earlier this week Justice Minister Bence Tuzson warned in a letter sent to some foreign embassies in Budapest that organising a prohibited event is punishable by one year in jail, while attending counts as a misdemeanour. The law that allows for the ban of Pride lets police impose fines and use facial recognition cameras to identify people who attend. When asked about the threat of a one-year jail term, Karacsony said at a press briefing on Friday that such a sentence would only boost his popularity. "But I cannot take it seriously," he said. Making the march a key topic of political discourse has allowed the Orban government to take the initiative back from the opposition and mobilise its voter base, said Zoltan Novak, an analyst at the Centre for Fair Political Analysis think tank. "In the past 15 years, Fidesz decided what topics dominated the political world," he said, noting that this has become more difficult as Orban's party has faced an increasing challenge from centre-right opposition leader Peter Magyar's Tisza party, which has a 15-point lead over Orban's Fidesz in a recent poll. Tisza, which has been avoiding taking a strong position on gay rights issues, did not specify in response to Reuters questions whether it believed the Pride march was lawful, but said those attending deserved the state's protection. "Peter Magyar has called on the Hungarian authorities and police to protect the Hungarian people this Saturday, and on other days as well, even if it means standing up against the arbitrariness of power," its press office said. Magyar himself would not attend.
CTV News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Hundreds of groups call on Ottawa to scrap border bill over privacy, rights concerns
Asylum seekers try to cross the Canada-U.S. border at Roxham Road from New York state into Quebec on Friday March 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz OTTAWA — More than 300 civil society organizations are calling on the Liberal government to withdraw its new border bill, saying the legislation threatens liberties, refugee and migrant rights and the privacy of all Canadians. Representatives of four major coalitions held a news conference today to ramp up pressure on Ottawa to scrap the proposed Strong Borders Act. The bill, introduced this month, would give authorities new powers to search mail, facilitate police access to personal information and make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications. The federal government says the legislation is meant to keep borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and crack down on money laundering. The bill comes in response to sustained pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which cited concerns about the southbound flow of irregular migrants and fentanyl when imposing tariffs on Canadian goods. The measures proposed in the bill have received support from Canada's police chiefs, the national fentanyl czar and child protection advocates. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press
Reuters
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
At least 32 dead, dozens missing after boats capsize in Congo's Lake Tumba
KINSHASA, June 12 (Reuters) - At least 32 people were killed and dozens remain missing in Democratic Republic of Congo's Equateur Province after two boats carrying more than 100 passengers capsized in Lake Tumba, local authorities told Reuters on Thursday. The boats departed Bikoro port on the eastern shores of the lake on Wednesday afternoon despite "clear overloading and unstable weather conditions," according to a statement from a provincial civil society group, the Provincial Coordination of the Panel of Civil Society Experts of Equateur. "Witnesses reported that the overcrowding was so severe that passengers were being turned away from the canoes," said Akula Dieu, a member of the civil society group. Reuters could not confirm the weather conditions or details about possible overloading. A state official, Bikoro Lake Commissioner Gabriel Ifulu Bongolomba, told Reuters that a family had requisitioned two boats to transport people for a funeral from an unauthorised embarkation point. Heavy waves caused by the rains struck the vessels, causing them to capsize, he said. Rescue efforts were ongoing, he added, but said responders faced challenges due to a lack of essential equipment, including life jackets and boats. "We're forced to requisition private boats for this type of operation, but sometimes we don't even have enough fuel to carry out our work properly," Bongolomba said. Deadly boat accidents are common in Congolese waters, where vessels are frequently overloaded, posing significant safety risks.
Zawya
03-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Peace begins with partnerships as Western Equatorians unite on the International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers
As the sun sets on a week-long build-up to the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, hundreds of people gather at Freedom Square in Yambio, Western Equatoria. Some belong to local women's groups, others are civil society activists, and most are community members supporting efforts to empower women and advocate for gender equality and peace. Under the theme, 'Peace Begins with Me', the event kicked off with a friendly female football match between United Nations peacekeepers and local women, including those serving in security forces. The crowd also enjoyed traditional dances, comedy, and other musical performances which encouraged those present to celebrate their diversity while embracing unity. The importance of partnerships between the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, local authorities and other stakeholders was also emphasized. 'We have seen the presence of peacekeepers for over 10 years. We worked together, we fought together, to ensure that relative peace comes to Tambura. We stand with you to work for peace,' says Western Equatoria, Acting Governor, James Severino. The participants focused on the importance of de-escalating tensions and promoting peace in the conflict-prone area, which has been heavily impacted by military confrontations between forces aligned with the main parties to the peace agreement as well as intercommunal conflict. UNMISS is continuing all efforts to prevent the country from relapsing back into civil war, to preserve and progress the peace agreement, and build sustainable peace so that free, fair, and credible elections can take place. 'We have worked hard together and collaborated in greater Tambura, the eastern counties of the State and here in Yambio to protect civilians and create a safe environment for community dialogue,' said UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Emmanuel Dukundane. 'We are committed to continuing to strengthen our partnership to deliver sustainable peace across the State.' Local partners also paid their respects to the peacekeepers serving with UNMISS, who lost their lives while serving the cause of peace in South Sudan over the past year. 'Our brothers and sisters, the peacekeepers, have laid down their lives for the sake of peace,' said Western Equatoria Legislative Assembly Speaker, Wakila Charles. 'Ask yourself, am I in peace in my home? As Members of Parliament, as a leader, we are representing our community. If peace starts with me, that means my home will be peaceful, my community, and the State.' As South Sudan continues to experience political instability and a deteriorating security situation, communities in Western Equatoria remain hopeful that, together, they can lay the foundations for a peaceful and prosperous future. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
