BUDAPEST, Hungary - Laszlo Simon, the director of the National Museum of Hungary, was sacked on Monday after an exhibition featuring LGBT content was opened to the public. The exhibition, which is part of the World Press Photo competition, includes several images that depict same-sex couples and families.
In Hungary, a 2021 law bans under-18s from viewing LGBT content. Simon has defended the museum's decision to keep the exhibition open to all visitors, arguing that it is important to protect freedom of expression.
However, the government has criticized Simon's decision, saying that he violated the law. In a statement, the Minister for Culture and Innovation said that Simon had "failed to comply with the legal obligations of the institution."
Simon's sacking has been met with condemnation from human rights groups and international media organizations. The Committee to Protect Journalists said that Simon's dismissal was a "serious blow to freedom of the press and artistic expression in Hungary."
Reporters Without Borders called Simon's sacking "an outrageous attack on freedom of expression." The group said that the Hungarian government is using the law to "silence its critics and create a climate of fear for LGBTQ people."
The European Union has also criticized Simon's sacking. In a statement, the EU's Commissioner for Values and Transparency said that the Hungarian government's actions were "a clear violation of EU law and values."
The sacking of Laszlo Simon is the latest example of the Hungarian government's crackdown on dissent. The government has also passed laws restricting the activities of NGOs and independent media outlets.
