Hungary's controversial LGBTQ+ law, food shortages in North Korea and Geneva's tax-free art storage
21 - 27 June 2021
Farewell June!
🚨 As the seasons shift, I’d like to announce a big change to Deep Dive - the newsletter is switching to a monthly format. The reason for this revamp is the start of a new full-time role in London. I’m extremely grateful for your support and hope you continue reading! 🚨
EUROPE’S “RAINBOW ROW”
Hungary’s Viktor Orban has chosen Pride Month to strike a blow against the LGBTQ+ community.
In early June, the prime minister and his right-wing Fidesz party introduced amendments to draft legislation that prohibit references to homosexuality and transgender issues in material aimed at under-18s. The bill was intended to focus on tougher punishments for convicted paedophiles - but last-minute changes by Fidesz MPs broadened the scope to include bans on the “promotion” and “portrayal” of homosexuality or sex reassignment among minors.
The provisions will see only government-approved instructors allowed to teach sex-ed in schools, and broadcasters might be barred from showing movies in the daytime if they feature gay characters.
"This is not a law about homosexuality, but a law about how children are educated in matters concerning sexuality," according to Orban.
Despite the controversy, Hungary’s parliament passed the revised proposal and the president gave it his seal of approval. LGBTQ+ activists and EU chiefs are furious, though. They regard the amendments as an attempt to conflate paedophilia with homosexuality.
“It goes against the fundamental values of the European Union: human dignity, equality and respect for human rights,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.
Mark Rutte of the Netherlands had sterner words, telling Orban to repeal the law or quit the bloc. The question is whether this chorus of condemnation will amount to much. Orban, who’s become the bête noire of the EU, presents a real test for Brussels. So far, the EU’s head honchos haven’t been able to rein in “illiberal” actions by its member states.
POTENTIAL FOOD CRISIS IN N.KOREA
K-pop sensation BTS are causing an incredible sales spike at McDonald’s with their special edition meal. The successful pairing of the boyband and the American restaurant chain could be especially annoying to Kim Jong Un, who is dealing with enormous challenges at home.
For one, the North Korean leader and his propaganda outlets have been railing against the South’s cultural influence, calling it a “vicious cancer”. According to the New York Times, Kim is worried about the spread of “anti-socialist and nonsocialist” K-pop videos and K-dramas, which are illegally smuggled into the country despite harsh penalties.
Another reason for Pyongyang’s frustration would be North Korea’s dire food shortage. Kim made a rare admission of failure this month, warning the ruling Workers' Party central committee about the “tense” food situation. He revealed the agricultural sector had missed its grain targets due to typhoons last year and ongoing measures to stop Covid-19. The latter means the border with China - the North’s top trading partner - is still closed and essentials, such as fertiliser, are hard to come by.
Analysts also point to the impacts of international sanctions and the Kim regime’s resistance to humanitarian aid. Some are going as far as predicting a famine in rural areas. However, the true state of affairs in North Korea remains impossible to assess. The ‘hermit kingdom’ is an enigma, and even US diplomats seem confused by Pyongyang’s recent comments that it was preparing “for both dialogue and confrontation” with Washington.
A CLANDESTINE ART WAREHOUSE
Given Switzerland’s reputation for financial privacy, it’s perhaps unsurprising to learn that the Alpine country hosts what’s believed to be the world’s largest - and most secretive - art warehouse.
The Geneva Free Port is increasingly grabbing attention for the unique and expensive merchandise contained within its walls. There are rumours of valuable paintings, stolen antiquities, piles of gold bars, fine wine, classic cars and so on. But the actual contents are a mystery because the facility is exempt from the usual customs rules.
To recap: Freeports are highly secure, tax-free havens where items can be stored indefinitely between territorial jurisdictions (like a sort of economic transit zone). Additionally, clients are allowed to buy and sell goods in the vaults without them leaving the grounds.
Due to their ‘limbo’ status, freeports don’t require paperwork or transparency. As a result, these warehouses are favoured by wealthy art collectors and discreet billionaires, alongside money launderers and traffickers.
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet explored the freeport/priceless treasures concept in a major heist scene - and it seems the industry’s real-life characters are just as intriguing. For instance, Swiss art dealer and freeport magnate, Yves Bouvier (seen in this 2014 report by Swissinfo), is currently involved in “the biggest legal fight the art world has ever witnessed”.
Although Switzerland has taken steps to tighten freeport regulations since 2016, investigators say much more could be done to curb their use in organised crime, tax evasion and corruption.
Catch you in a few weeks! As always, please feel free to share feedback and suggestions. Stay curious, Sara x