Fury over Hungary plan to ‘legalise paedophilia’

A BILL modifying Hungary’s penal code could allow pornographic material involving 14 to 17-year-olds to be made and kept for personal use.

The country’s justice ministry said the draft proposal, presented last month by Hungarian justice minister Jozsef Petretei, was in line with European Union norms which give member states the right to regulate the issue at national level.

But opposition politicians attacked the proposal as “legalised paedophilia” and a family welfare group described it as “the waiting room of prostitution”.

Mr Petretei last night said the proposal had taken into account the age in Hungary — 14 — at which consensual sexual relations are allowed.

“If we consider people 14 years of age to be mature enough to consent to sexual acts, then the chance to make picture recordings of this ... can also be allowed,” Mr Petretei told politicians in parliament.

The minister added that if deputies felt the issue offended their “moral sensitivity,” they could propose changes to the bill.

“This is a scandal,” Miklos Soltesz, from the opposition Christian Democratic People’s Party, told state television.

“We initially thought the intention to legalise child pornography was government insanity ... but it seems they’re serious.”