Unfurled Wings

[ReuKinChe]

The European Federation, like the European Union before it, was founded not just for the sake of unity and prosperity, but to defend the rights of all individuals. For many years, it or its predecessor had made it clear that no matter what race, gender, or any other benign or arbitrary group one belonged to, they would be protected. But perhaps it was not yet clear to the world that the European Federation also believed in defending human rights without regard for location.

Of course, there were still practical constraints. No amount of will would be able to get Afghanistan to embrace gay rights in a decade. For now, smaller victories would have to be enough. And where better a place to start than the Federation's own backyard? Democracy and civil rights had regressed in Europe in recent years, most notably in Hungary. For now, war was off the table, but the EF could throw its weight around in other ways.

Hungary would only be allowed to trade with the Federation if its President agreed to relinquish his dictatorial emergency powers after health experts agreed that Hungary was in the clear with the coronavirus, and to only use his emergency powers to combat the pandemic, rather than to roll back minority rights.

 

Edited August 14, 2020 by ReuKinChe