Relevant Helsinki Files
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The moment of opportunity and responsibility
Hungary has voted for change. Now comes the hard work of restoring the rule of law. We, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, look forward to playing our part.
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Selected Issues for Election Observers
Ahead of the April 12 elections, our latest briefing note is for everyone monitoring or closely following the Hungarian elections. We focus on selected aspects of the electoral environment that could be particularly relevant on … Read more
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Selected Readings on the 2026 Hungarian Parliamentary Elections
Background materials for election observation missions and delegations
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Flash Report Ahead of the 2026 Hungarian Parliamentary Elections
The 2026 Hungarian parliamentary elections are taking place in a highly polarised political environment, marked by entrenched systemic distortions in electoral competition. Recent developments confirm that the primary risks to electoral integrity stem not from … Read more
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Beaten Back at Europe’s Borders
2025 report on pushbacks in Europe
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Human Rights Defenders of the Future – Apply to our spring human rights course!
Do you want to:
– get to know how democratic power functions at different levels?
– learn about social participation in Hungary and become an active citizen?
– be a part of a diverse, young team of refugees, migrants and Hungarians?
– learn and have fun with interactive educational methods?If yes, apply to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s Human Rights Course by 29 March!
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Hungarian Helsinki Committee turns to Kúria to protect Transcarpathian refugee families facing homelessness
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee is asking Hungary’s highest court (Kúria) to review court rulings that rejected lawsuits filed on behalf of refugee families from Transcarpathia (Zakarpattia, western Ukraine) seeking continued access to state-funded accommodation. According to the human rights organisation, the courts’ interpretation of the law is flawed and inconsistent with the protections guaranteed under the Temporary Protection Directive.
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Information for Iranian Nationals in Hungary
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee prepared an information leaflet for Iranian nationals currently in Hungary.
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Same Old, Same Old: Current State of Danger Rules Continue to Undermine the Rule of Law in Hungary
Recent developments in Hungary once again highlight how the “state of danger” is a tool to concentrate powers in the hands of the executive. Our one-pager explains the deficient framework and how it is abused in practice.
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Where assembly is a crime: charges brought against the organizer of Pécs Pride
This morning, the Pécs District Prosecutor’s Office informed Géza Buzás-Hábel, the organizer of last Fall’s Pécs Pride, that charges had been brought against him for organizing Pécs Pride. The prosecutor’s office has turned to the Pécs District Court for violation of the freedom of association and assembly, which could impose up to one year of imprisonment.
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Hungarian CSOs contribute to the European Commission’s 2026 Rule of Law Report
For the seventh year in a row, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee is contributing to the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report in coordination with other Hungarian human rights and anti-corruption CSOs in the framework of the stakeholder consultation launched by the European Commission.
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Systemic failures persist in tackling police ill-treatment in Hungary
On 21 January 2026, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) submitted a new Rule 9(2) communication to the Committee of Ministers concerning the execution of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments in the Gubacsi v. … Read more
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Civil society warns of continued discrimination in minority voting rights ahead of 2026 elections
In a joint submission to the Council of Europe, HCLU and HHC highlight the Hungarian government’s continued failure to reform the national minority voting system in spite of a European Court of Human Rights judgment, leaving most minorities without a real chance of parliamentary representation before the 2026 elections.
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Prison overcrowding and inhumane detention conditions in Hungary remain unresolved
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) has submitted a new communication to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe concerning the execution of the European Court of Human Rights’ pilot judgment in Varga and Others v. Hungary and the related István Gábor Kovács v. Hungary case group. This group of cases concerns inhuman and/or degrading treatment arising from poor conditions of detention, primarily resulting from structural prison overcrowding, the lack of effective preventive and compensatory remedies, and other detention-related violations.
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Human dignity belongs to everyone, including foreigners
The “Human Rights Defenders of the Future” the youth group of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, held a Forum Theatre performance on 10 December, on World Human Rights Day. The interactive performance portrayed the problems refugees and foreigners face living in Hungary.
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Threat Assessment of the 2026 Hungarian Parliamentary Elections
In April 2026, the Hungarian parliamentary elections will be a pivotal moment for democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law in Hungary and for the entire European Union. There is a serious likelihood that they will be marred, yet again, by grave violations of both domestic and international standards for democratic elections.
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The case of the Hungarian National Election Commission
As an electoral body, the Hungarian National Election Commission is unable to level the playing field, which favours the governing parties.
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From Principle to Practice: Cultivating a Rule of Law Culture in Europe
Study on Innovative Practices of Civil Society Regarding the EU Rule of Law Toolbox
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Amendments to the Hungarian election-related legal framework – From 4 April 2022 until 10 December 2025
Since the last general election on 3 April 2022, the Hungarian Parliament has passed several amendments to the legal framework relating to elections.
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Assessing Hungary’s compliance with conditions to access EU funds in November 2025
In December 2022, European Union institutions suspended and tied to conditions Hungary’s access to EU funds under various procedures due to severe breaches of the rule of law and human rights. Ahead of the upcoming … Read more