Hungary Makes A Rule That Homosexual Couples Cannot Adopt Children

JAKARTA - The Hungarian parliament is redefining the concept of the family in its constitution. One of the derivatives of the country's government will prohibit same-sex or homosexual couples from adopting children. The move immediately drew protests from human rights groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) activists.

As quoted by CNN, Wednesday, December 16, Hungarian politicians approved a new law (UU) that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The law also states that "the basis of the family is marriage and the parent-child relationship. The mother is a woman, the father is a man."

In Hungary, only married couples can adopt children. Although there are some exceptions for single people who wish to adopt children. It is through this single route that same-sex couples usually adopt children.

"This is a dark day for the LGBTQ Hungarian community and a dark day for human rights," said David Vig, director of Amnesty Hungary. "This new discriminatory, homophobic and transphobic law is just the latest attack on the LGBTQ community by the Hungarian authorities," added Vig.

Hungary is part of the European Union. Hungary's Prime Minister (PM), Victor Orban, has forged his own path in recent years. He passed many laws that EU leaders had warned would undermine the country's democracy.

This is not the only time the Hungarian government has made a controversial decision. In May, the country also banned transgender and intersex people from changing their gender on identity documents. Although the state currently recognizes same-sex couples, Fidesz's ruling party, led by the Prime Minister of Hungary, opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage.

The Hungarian PM's Office praised the rules prohibiting the adoption of children for same-sex couples. He said it was meant "to strengthen the protection of Hungarian families and the safety of our children."

Earlier this year, Hungary dropped a point in the ranking of European countries for LGBTI rights by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA). This is due to policies targeting the LGBTI community.

The decision comes just months after a large European Union survey found that six in ten LGBTI people in Europe avoid holding hands in public for fear of discrimination. Then as much as 43 percent of LGBTI people have been discriminated against in the past year.