Orban thanks Dzintars for his support for controversial Hungarian law

RIGA - The National Alliance's board chairman Raivis Dzintars has received a letter of gratitude from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban over Dzintars' support for a controversial Hungarian law that, in the European Union leaders' opinion, infringes on the rights of the LGBT community.

Orban has thanked Dzintars for his support for the new Hungarian law on protection of minors, Dzintars said on Facebook.

Protecting children from harmful content and guaranteeing the right of parents to choose their children's education in accordance with their own conscience, as set out in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, are key elements of the new law, Orban told Dzintars in the letter.

We are determined to protect our family values and culture, said Orban.

Last Friday, Orban accused European leaders of acting like “colonialists" in their criticism of a controversial law that's seen as limiting the rights of LGBT people in Hungary.

EU leaders challenged Orban on the law at a summit in Brussels two weeks ago, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte suggesting that the Hungarian leader should either uphold EU values or pull out of the 27-member bloc.

Hungary's right-wing government - which faces elections next year - insists the law is necessary to ensure that the sexual education of children under 18 is the sole domain of parents.

But LGBT advocacy groups and high-ranking politicians in Europe have slammed the legislation, arguing it stigmatizes sexual minorities and seeks to stifle discourse on sexual orientation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the law “a shame,” and sent a letter to Hungary demanding a clarification of its impact on fundamental rights.

The heads of 17 EU countries signed a joint letter condemning the legislation, and urged the European Commission to take Hungary before the European Court of Justice over the matter.