Legislators yesterday passed a bill making it a crime to organise and an offence to attend events that violate an existing law prohibiting the “depiction or promotion” of homosexuality to under-18s.

The law was presented to the Hungarian parliament on Tuesday and passed yesterday under an expedited procedure, without any period of consultation, and will enter into force on 15 April 2025.

Fines of up to 200,000 HUF (around £420) can be imposed on people who attend events banned under the law.

Dávid Vig, director of Amnesty International Hungary, said: “This law is a full-frontal attack on the LGBTI community and a blatant violation of Hungary’s obligations to prohibit discrimination and guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Budapest Pride in June, this harmful ban turns the clock back three decades, further undermining the hard-won rights of LGBTI people in Hungary.

“It is unfortunately just the latest in a line of discriminatory measures taken by the authorities that targets and stigmatises LGBTI individuals and groups.”

He added: “The spurious justification for the passing of this law — that events and assemblies would be ‘harmful to children’ — is based on harmful stereotypes and deeply entrenched discrimination, homophobia and transphobia.

“The Hungarian president must not sign this bill into law and authorities must instead ensure that LGBTI people are able to freely express their identities as well as organize and participate in public events.”