Latest posts

Building a new “illiberal State”

Since 2012, a series of legal changes, including via the New Fundamental Law that replaced the Constitution in 2012, have weakened checks on the executive and have had a detrimental effect on the judiciary in Hungary. Undermining Independence of the Judiciary The powers of the Constitutional Court have been weakened by a combination of the…

Unlawful Treatment of Refugees

Discriminatory and Unlawful Treatment of Refugees and Immigrants The government of Hungary has recently implemented a number of very concerning measures against immigrants in the country and refugees seeking to enter it. Construction of a razor-wire wall In the summer of 2015, the government hastily ordered the construction of a razor-wire wall at its border…

Threats to free speech association & media

Civil Society Organisations as “foreign agents” Since June 2015, the Hungarian government has put pressure on those nongovernmental organizations who receive funding from foreign sources in ways that have had concerning implications for freedom of association and expression in the country. Prime Minister Orbán has publicly branded civil society as “foreign agents.” Earlier this year…

Undermining Freedom of Religion or Belief

In 2011, the Church Act was introduced which gave a parliamentary committee the power to decide what groups are recognized as “churches,” implementing a system where some religious groups benefit from state subsidies whilst others do not. Since the introduction of the Act, hundreds of churches have been deregistered. Amendments made in 2013 failed to…

What’s the issue with Hungarian government’s policies?

This initiative is motivated by the deep concerns many citizens across Europe share regarding an increase in the number of political and social measures at odds with European democratic principles and fundamental rights. We believe that the Hungarian government in particular has drifted too far from a true democratic commitment without being seriously held accountable…