Fundamental Law

On April 14, 2025, Hungarian lawmakers passed the 15th amendment to the Fundamental Law—a move campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in efforts to suppress dissent and undermine human rights. The amendment codifies a law banning public LGBTQ+ events, including Budapest Pride, and defines gender strictly as male or female, effectively erasing legal recognition for transgender and intersex individuals. It also prioritizes children's rights over other fundamental rights, paving the way for restrictions on LGBTQ+ expression. In addition, it allows for the suspension of citizenship and expulsion of dual nationals from non-EU countries deemed threats to national security. Critics argue these changes entrench authoritarianism and institutionalize discrimination.

On May 15th, we will discuss the implications of these developments for the EU and the Netherlands, focusing on their impact on human rights and the rule of law. We will explore how Hungary’s constitutional changes challenge EU values and governance, and what this means for the future of European integration. Special attention will be given to the Netherlands—not only in its role as a defender of democratic principles within the EU, but also in light of growing concerns about its own rule of law.

We will be joined by András Kádár, Co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee; Pola Cebulak, Assistant Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, who will speak on EU implications; and Jerfi Uzman, Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Amsterdam, who will reflect on the impact for the Netherlands.