Country Report: Hungary July 2026
- Vladimir Kovtun | Genocide Watch
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
Genocide Watch Country Report: Hungary 2026
By Vladimir Kovtun
From 2010 to 2026, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz (Hungarian Civil Alliance) Party ruled Hungary in successive terms. Their rule weakened Hungary’s rule of law, curtailed rights, and increased discrimination against minorities, in particular Roma, LGBTQ+, and Jews. Though Hungary’s election on April 12, 2026, saw Fidesz lose power, Hungary must address systemic problems to prevent future abuses.
Soon after taking power in 2010, Fidesz used its supermajority in the Hungarian Parliament to write a new Constitution. This Constitution, as written, created openings for abuses towards Hungary’s minorities. The Constitution and its subsequent amendments severely restricted the ability of justices to conduct judicial review on government policy, significantly eroding their ability to check policies. It also notably excludes sexual minorities from the definition of a protected minority and restricts marriage. Finally, it relies on cardinal laws, laws passed by a supermajority of parliament outside the constitution, to define a wide array of issues, including rights. Hungary must address these fundamental restrictions to prevent future abuses. As a result of these issues and Hungary’s violation of European Union (EU) law, the EU has blocked 17 billion euros worth of funds from the country. Hungary’s incoming government is negotiating the release of these funds, but it is contingent on fundamental reforms that move the country away from authoritarianism.
Open racism against the Roma people remains widespread among Hungary’s leadership. During the campaign preceding the 2026 election, former transport Minister Lazar referred to the Roma people using the slur “gypsy” while alluding to the idea that they should clean toilets instead of immigrants. Gergeley Gulas, head of the Prime Minister’s office, openly blamed declining reading competency on Romani children. These comments highlight a trend of discrimination against the Romani, who face de facto segregation, especially in schools, a lack of opportunities, and a lack of enforced protections. Hungary’s National Social Inclusion Strategy for Romani emphasizes the integration of Romani people into the workforce, yet it does not restrict such discrimination in the workforce.
In 2021, Hungary created a law that significantly curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the name of child protection. The law banned adoption by gay couples, conflates homosexuality with pedophilia, and most notably “prohibits the promotion” of non-heterosexual gender identities to minors in education, media, and advertising. Authorities have used to ban pride parades in Hungary and essentially eliminate needed sexual education, stigmatizing the local LGBTQ+ community. A 2025 constitutional amendment further curtailed LGBTQ+ by effectively banning all public gatherings by LGBTQ+ communities.
Due to Hungary’s still active policies against the Romani and LGBTQ+ communities, Genocide Watch determines Hungary to be at Stage 1: Classification and Stage 3: Discrimination. However, with a change of government, there is a significant opportunity for positive change.
Genocide Watch recommends:
Hungary’s new Parliament should institute strong constitutional reforms as allowed by the Hungarian Constitution that explicitly emphasize international law and the rule of law.
Hungary’s Parliament should pass laws facilitating the active enforcement of Hungarian national protections and protections under the 1965 International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination for Hungary’s Romani minority, especially through the reintegration of schools.
As part of constitutional reforms, Hungary’s Parliament should reinstate judicial review for Hungary’s Constitutional Court.
Hungary’s new Parliament should enact explicit constitutional protections for minorities, including LGBTQ+ people.
