Bizarre developments: Orbán cabinet now targets rainbow-coloured items!

On Tuesday, the Hungarian Gazette released the Orbán cabinet’s amendments to legislation impacting books, extending its scope to encompass other items beyond wrapped publications, echoing sentiments from the election statement concerning LGBTQ issues.

According to 24.hu, the Hungarian government has revised consumer protection laws, with significant changes detailed in a decree published in the Hungarian Gazette.

Under the revised regulations, products priced up to HUF 10,000 (EUR 25) will carry a mandatory warranty period of two years, while those exceeding HUF 250,000 (EUR 634) will have a three-year warranty. Moreover, if consumer goods require repair three times during the warranty period and still malfunction, they must be replaced within eight days.

The government has updated various provisions regarding consumer protection, including modifications to the mandatory warranty duration for durable goods:

• Items priced between HUF 10,000 (EUR 25) and HUF 250,000 (EUR 634) will carry a two-year warranty.
• Items priced above HUF 250,000 (EUR 634) will have a mandatory warranty period of three years.
•  If consumer goods undergo repair three times within the warranty period but remain faulty, they must be replaced within eight days.

Additionally, if replacement isn’t feasible, businesses must reimburse consumers within eight days for the purchase price indicated on the guarantee voucher or the proof of payment presented by the consumer.

These adjustments, signed into effect by Viktor Orbán, align with the Fidesz-KDNP election manifesto, which includes amendments to the regulations governing commercial activities.

The Orbán cabinet’s issue with rainbow items

The regulations prohibit the display or promotion of products in shop windows that depict or promote differences in gender identity, gender reassignment, homosexuality or sexuality. Additionally, within 200 metres of educational institutions, child and youth protection institutions, churches or religious places, marketing products with such representations is prohibited. However, products intended for children that feature these elements may be marketed separately in sealed packaging.

Starting in October, the Orbán cabinet intends to implement a warning system in the mail order sector for such products targeting children that feature or promote gender non-conformity, gender reassignment, homosexuality or direct representations of sexuality. Online marketing of such material would only be allowed if a prominent warning (“Sensitive Content!”) is displayed on the website.

The Orbán cabinet’s proposed legislation has drawn criticism from the market and organisations like Amnesty International, which view it as stigmatising. They argue that it aligns with the Orbán cabinet’s track record of targeting sexual and gender minorities without scientific evidence indicating harmful effects on children from exposure to such content.

Books & Rainbow Legos

Source: depositphotos.com

According to Szeretlekmagyarország.hu, publishers in the book industry are now obliged to notify retailers if a book prominently features or promotes gender non-conformity, gender reassignment, homosexuality or explicit representations of sexuality. However, the broad wording of the regulation has prompted pro Orbán cabinet press outlets to identify instances they perceive as LGBTQ influence, such as rainbow-coloured Lego sets and gender-neutral dolls.

Critics argue that even cartoon characters or products with rainbow themes could potentially fall under this regulation. Additionally, a Fidesz Ministerial Commissioner previously commented on the inclusion of transgender characters and the rainbow flag in certain cartoons.

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