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CNN’s Richard Quest Confronts FM Szijjártó About Child Protection Law

Hungary Today 2021.09.22.

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó was interviewed by CNN’s Richard Quest about the controversial “Pedophilia Law,” the upcoming elections, and the European Union.

“You know as well as I do, I am gay,” said CNN’s reporter Richard Quest, who is also a non-practicing barrister. He then asked the Hungarian Foreign Minister:

Do you consider me to be a pedophile?”

“I respect the fact that you have a copy of the law in your hands because recently whenever I had debates with anybody- be it a journalist or a Western European politician- I had to debate in a way that I knew my counterpart had never read the law,” Szijjártó started his answer after thanking Quest for the invitation. He then continued by saying that he respects the way of life Quest has chosen for himself, and according to the Foreign Minister, so does this law when it comes to adults above the age of 18. He also emphasized that the law has two parts, one is about very seriously punishing pedophilia. “The other part of the law ensures that in order to protect our children, the exclusive right of the education of our children regarding sexual orientation goes to their parents. These are two totally different parts of the law,” Szijjártó said, to which Quest responded: “It is unfortunate they are in the same law.”

Above the age of 18, whatever happens, the state has nothing to do with it. Nothing,”

the Minister also stressed.

From Law Against Pedophiles to Ban on 'Promoting Homosexuality'
From Law Against Pedophiles to Ban on 'Promoting Homosexuality'

Up until last week, it wasn't mentioned or suggested at all that the tightening and accompanying legislation would one way or another contain any LGBTQI features.Continue reading

Szijjártó was also asked about the upcoming elections, to which he responded: “there is no reason to feel anxious,” and other questions regarding the European Union. In the end, Quest said, “I am looking forward to seeing you in Budapest, with my husband, and I will buy you dinner, and your wife as well,” to which the Foreign Minister replied with a smile, saying “We would welcome you.”

The full interview can be seen below:

Featured image: screenshot from the interview, uploaded to FM Péter Szijjártó’s Facebook page


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