Victory for EU’s Core Values

In a landmark decision on April 21, 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled against Hungary’s law that discriminates based on sexual orientation and gender identity, marking a significant affirmation of EU values. This ruling was hailed as “a huge victory for EU values” by Tineke Strik, the European Parliament’s rapporteur for the Article 7 procedure for Hungary.

The contested Hungarian legislation, enacted in 2021, restricted materials promoting or representing deviations from birth-assigned gender or same-sex relationships targeted at minors. The European Commission challenged this law, asserting it contravened EU’s internal market rules and fundamental rights principles, leading to its referral to the CJEU. The European Parliament had joined the legal fray in 2023 to bolster the case against what it viewed as discriminatory laws.

Strik emphasized the broader implications of the CJEU’s decision, not only for Hungary but for the entire EU. She pointed out that the judgment underlines the enforceability of EU values through judicial avenues, beyond mere political discourse. The ruling places responsibility on Hungary’s new government to prioritize the restoration of rights for the LGBTIQ+ community as part of broader rule of law reforms. Moreover, Strik urged the European Commission to continue leveraging judicial measures to address systematic violations of EU values. The European Parliament, consistent in its defense of LGBTQ+ rights, views diversity and non-discrimination as its core principles, enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.