PÉCS, Hungary (HELVILUX)— Human rights groups across Europe are sounding the alarm after Hungarian authorities launched an unprecedented criminal case against Géza Buzás-Hábel, a young Romani teacher, LGBTQI+ rights defender, and leader of the Diverse Youth Network, for organising a Pride march in Pécs.
The event, held on 4 October 2025, was the fifth Pride march outside Budapest and attracted thousands of participants. But just weeks later, on 28 October, Buzás-Hábel was summoned for interrogation and placed under criminal investigation for allegedly organising a “prohibited assembly” , an offence that could carry up to one year in prison.
This is the first known case in EU history where a Pride organiser faces criminal prosecution simply for holding a peaceful LGBTQI+ demonstration.
A Rapid, Politically Charged Case
Civil society organisations in Hungary have condemned the proceedings as “politically motivated” and designed to intimidate minorities and silence dissent. They noted that while police procedures typically take nearly a year, authorities moved against Buzás-Hábel in a matter of weeks.
“The speed of this case speaks for itself,” the organisations said in a joint statement. “Géza has committed no act dangerous to society. On the contrary, he deserves recognition for organising the largest Pécs Pride to date.”
During his interrogation, Buzás-Hábel openly affirmed that he organised the march but refused to accept that exercising a fundamental right constitutes a crime. He described the experience as a stark reminder of the increasing hostility facing intersecting minority groups in Hungary.
Far-Right Pressure and Legal Crackdown
Three complaints triggered the investigation, including submissions from well-known far-right figures such as Tamás Gaudi-Nagy and Tamás Varga of the Mi Hazánk Movement. But Buzás-Hábel believes the authorities had already prepared to pursue action.
“This is about creating a deterrent example,” he said, suggesting the government may seek to conclude the case before the April 2026 national elections.
The proceedings were made possible by sweeping amendments to Hungary’s assembly laws passed in March and April 2025. These laws effectively ban Pride events, link LGBTQI+ gatherings to restrictive “child protection” rules, and permit facial recognition surveillance of attendees. Organisers may face imprisonment, while participants risk heavy fines.
The legislation has been denounced by legal experts, MEPs, and human-rights organisations as a violation of EU law, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Selective Enforcement and Double Standards
Critics argue that freedom of assembly in Hungary is being applied selectively. While LGBTQI+ activists face bans, surveillance, and criminalisation, authorities continue to allow and often lightly supervise, annual gatherings of neo-Nazi and extremist groups, including the Day of Honour and “Far-Right Fight Night.”
Human rights advocates say this double standard undermines democratic values and raises serious concerns for minority communities, particularly LGBTQI+ people and Roma.
A Pride Movement Rooted in Resistance
Pécs remains the only city outside Budapest to host an annual Pride event. The march is the culmination of the Freedom of My Identity human-rights festival, run by the Diverse Youth Network to celebrate intersecting identities and provide barrier-free access to marginalised groups.
“As a Romani human-rights activist, I know what it means when the state treats you as a threat,” Buzás-Hábel said. “LGBTQI+ communities are becoming the next scapegoat. But Pride is about visibility about refusing to hide who we are.”
This year’s march saw confrontations with counter-protesters from far-right organisations including HVIM and CitizenGO. Police ultimately ordered them to fall back.
Buzás-Hábel rejects claims that Pride events violate Hungary’s “child protection” laws: “It’s nonsense. If the government truly cared about children’s well-being, they would address the collapsing education and healthcare systems, poverty, and corruption not target LGBTQI+ people.”
A Message to Europe
Buzás-Hábel and his legal team, led by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, plan to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights if needed. They hope that stronger EU-level action will follow.
“If Hungary, an EU Member State, can criminalise peaceful assembly for LGBTQI+ people, it can do so for anyone,” he warned. “This is a test of Europe’s commitment to equality, dignity, and democracy.”
Despite the pressure, he remains determined: the Diverse Youth Network will proceed with the 6th Pécs Pride and next year’s Freedom of My Identity festival.
“Do not accept the narrative that you must stay silent,” he said. “The power of communities is greater than fear.”
