BERLIN — Back in 2015, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban claimed that he was one of the last European leaders defending the continent’s Christian identity against a Muslim influx.
Three years on, Orban’s declared goal of defending Christianity is now part of the country’s constitution. But aid groups say that this very same updated constitution poses a growing threat to the ideals it is supposed to protect.
While Christian communities across Europe work to provide support to homeless people, Orban’s government passed a constitutional amendment this summer that bans people from “living on the streets.” The vague legislation has been criticized as “cruel and incompatible with international human rights law” by U.N. experts.
Hungary argues that it offers sufficient space in emergency shelters to accommodate all individuals without a home and would provide additional support starting this week.