Topic: Rule of law

Timeline of the series of governmental attacks against Hungarian NGOs, which constitute another step in the process aimed at establishing an “illiberal state” in Hungary

The Law on the Transparency of Organisations Receiving Foreign Funds (Anti-NGO Law) was adopted on 13 June 2017 by the governing majority of the Hungarian Parliament, despite repeated domestic and international objections.  What is the problem … Read more

Between 2010 and 2014, an ‘illiberal state’ was being built in Hungary. In line with the prime minister’s announcement on the subject, from 2014 we have been offered a perspective on how an actual, consolidated illiberal democracy operates. Hungary remains … Read more

Statement by Hungarian NGOs OSCE HDIM 2017 Working session 2: Fundamental freedoms I. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association – National human rights institutions and the role of civil society in the protection of human … Read more

Since the elections in 2010, the current governing party has systematically undermined the rule of law in Hungary, seriously disrupting the system of checks and balances. On 7 April 2017, governing party MPs submitted to … Read more

The Hungarian government has filled the Constitutional Court with loyal judges to create a judicial rubber stamp for government interests, according to a study by the Eötvös Károly Institute, the HHC and the HCLU of recent Constitutional Court decisions.

An assessment of the current deficiencies of the rule of law, democracy, pluralism and respect for human rights in Hungary.

NGO factsheets on the rule of law developments in Hungary, September 2014

Hungarian NGOs and international organisations voiced concerns about the Hungarian government’s fierce crackdown on NGOs at the international human rights event of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Warsaw.

The modification of the municipal representation of the Hungarian capital, enacted on 10 June 2014, violates the basic principles of constitutionality and flies in the face of international norms and good practices on electoral rights.

The Eötvös Károly Institute, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union criticize the abolishing of the upper age limit of 70 years in case of elected Constitutional Court judges, including current serving judges.

Opinion of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and the Eötvös Károly Institute

The Hungarian government provided detailed comments on the so-called Tavares Report regarding the situation of fundamental rights in Hungary, which will soon be discussed by Members of the European Parliament. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC), the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), and the Standards (Mérték) Media Monitor responded to the government’s inaccurate and unfounded comments in an analysis submitted to the factions of the European Parliament.

Analyses and summaries in English on the problems arising in connection with the Fourth Amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary in terms of the rule of law and the protection of human rights.

Three Hungarian NGOs, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the Eötvös Károly Institute and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union addressed the Secretary General of the Council of Europe and the European Commission Vice-President, Commissioner in Charge of Justice, Human Rights and Citizenship in order to raise their attention to the planned Fourth Amendment to the Fundamental Law of Hungary, threatening the rule of law. The NGOs asked the Secretary General of the Council of Europe to request the Venice Commission to perform an analysis of the proposed amendments.

Last year the Government introduced fundamental changes to the judicial system. Although 30 separate provisions of the relevant regulation were amended in response to the serious concerns raised by the Venice Commission (VC), the organization of the judicial system remains centralized and still endangers the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of court proceedings – according to the Eötvös Károly Institute, the HHC and the HCLU.

The Hungarian Government commented on the draft opinion of the Venice Commission regarding the new Hungarian Act on the Constitutional Court. The HHC, the HCLU, and the Eötvös Károly Institute outlined and assessed the reactions of the Government.

The Hungarian Government failed to provide adequate legislative response to the Venice Commission’s criticism on judicial reform

Fact sheets prepared by the HHC, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and the Eötvös Károly Policy Institute on some of the cardinal changes related to the rule of law in Hungary

The HHC, the HCLU and the Eötvös Károly Institute analysed the new laws on the court system and the Prosecution Service of Hungary.