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Human rights defenders / Urgent Interventions / Hungary / 2018 / February

Hungary: Civil society under attack in Hungary

The Hungarian government tries to choke critical organisations who still dare to speak up against human right violations.

The Hungarian government has proposed a set of laws that if adopted will have a devastating and chilling effect on civil society.

The proposed legislative package is part of a wider crackdown on human rights and civil society organisations in Hungary, which have been under attack for several years. It seeks to punish the legitimate work of civil society groups that defend human rights, provide legal and social services, and offer support to people seeking international protection.

The government’s goal is simple and clear: to silence independent and openly critical NGOs. These include organisations such as Amnesty International Hungary, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, among many others.

"This threatens the very existence of organisations doing crucial work in Hungary”, said Julia Ivan, director Amnesty International Hungary.

These laws create a climate of fear and suspicion

If the new legislation is adopted, the government will be able to control and restrict the activities of independent human rights organisations in Hungary.

The legislative package tabled to Parliament on 13 February, the so-called “Stop Soros” laws, would require national security clearance, a government permit and for identified NGOs that the government deems as “supporting migration”. This would include work such as campaigning, ‘influencing courts’, preparing information materials, organising networks and recruiting volunteers with the goal of sponsoring, organising or otherwise supporting the entry and stay of people seeking international protection. The laws would also require organisations to pay a tax of 25% of any foreign funding aimed at ‘supporting migration’.

Failure to meet these absurd requirements could lead to exorbitant fines, bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the NGOs targeted.

The government has presented these laws in the context of its wider anti-immigration campaign. In reality, these proposals have nothing to do with protecting national security or borders. They are a clear attempt to crush those working to assist people in need and to silence those who dare to raise their voices.

 

What happens if the laws are adopted?

The law states that the authorities can ‘identify’ NGOs which it deems are ‘supporting migration’.  The wording is vague and open for interpretation, which gives the authorities the opportunity to target, and possibly close down, a wide range of organisations.

1.     According to the proposed laws, the NGOs identified would need to get a permission from the Minister of Interior in order to continue their basic functions, including campaigning, advocacy, preparing information materials, organising networks and recruiting volunteers.

2.     The Minister of the Interior would then involve national security services for security clearance. This procedure may take up to nine months. 

3.     The law would also require organisations to pay a tax of 25 per cent of any foreign funding aimed at ‘supporting migration’. If they refuse or are unable to pay, this could lead to high fines, deletion of the tax number, bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the organisation.

 

Solidarity Action with Civil Society in Hungary

The actions by the Hungarian government are disturbing and unjustified. Again and again the authorities have crossed red lines but this has not remained unseen.

The defenders of rights and freedoms in Hungary are not alone, and an attack on them means an attack on all those that dare to speak out and protect others.

More than 250 organisations and platforms across the world including the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have signed a solidarity letter stating their grave concern over the proposed laws in Hungary, and showing their support to NGOs doing crucial work and whose very existence is at risk. With one voice, civil society organisations from around the world are urging the authorities to stop the crackdown on human rights defenders.

Text of the letter and signatories:

On 13 February 2018, the Hungarian government tabled to Parliament a proposed legislative pack of three laws, commonly referred to as “Stop Soros”. The newly proposed legislation would further restrict Hungarian civil society ability to carry out their work, by requiring organizations that “support migration” to obtain national security clearance and a government permit to perform basic functions. The proposed law would also require organizations to pay a tax of 25% of any foreign funding aimed at “supporting migration”.


Failure to do so, would subject them to steps so serious that they could lead to exorbitant fines, bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the NGO involved.


These come in a context of already shrinking space for civil society in Hungary and contravene Hungary’s obligations under international law to protect the right to freedom of association, expression and movement.


We believe the new proposals represent the latest initiative in the Hungarian government's escalating effort to crackdown on the legitimate work of civil society groups in Hungary seeking to promote and defend human rights, provide legal and social services to people in need in the country, and publicly express dissenting opinions in the press and online.


As defenders of rights and freedoms, we want people everywhere to be able to speak out without being attacked, threatened or jailed. Open debate on matters relating to government policies and practice is necessary in every society, and human rights defenders should not face criminalization for voicing their sometimes dissenting voices. Countries need to put laws in place which keep human rights defenders safe from harm, rather than introducing repressive laws that aim to silence those who speak out. 


Human rights defenders defend the rights of people in their own communities and their countries, and in doing so they protect all of our rights, globally. Human rights defenders are often the last line of defence for a free and just society and undertake immense personal risks and sacrifices to do their work.


We stand in solidarity with civil society and human rights defenders in Hungary.


They are courageous people, committed to creating a fairer society. Without their courage, the world we live in would be less fair, less just and less equal.


We are calling on the Hungarian Parliament to reject the proposed laws in their entirety and let the NGOs and defenders continue their work, instead of defending themselves against such attacks.


The below listed organizations declare their support and solidarity with non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders in Hungary:


ILGA – Europe

Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)

Human Rights Watch

AEDH - Association Europeenne de Droits de l'Homme

FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

World Organisation against Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

Light for the World

Funders’ Initiative for Civil Society

Urgent Action Fund for Women's Human Rights

CONCORD - European Confederation of Relief and development NGOs

Human Rights First

Transgender Europe

Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe

International Civil Society Centre

Reporters sans Frontières

ENAR - European Network Against Racism

European Volunteer Centre

Civil Society Europe

Protection International - Belgium

çavaria vzw - Belgium

11.11.11. - Belgium

Artsen zonder Vakantie – Belgium

Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen - Belgium    

Liga voor mensenrechten – Belgium

WWF Belgium - Belgium

ACAT - Belgique/ Belgie/ Belgium

Volonteurope  Belgium - Belgium

CROSOL - Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity - Croatia

Centre for Peace Studies from Zagreb – Croatia

GONG – Croatia

Brod Ecological Society-BED - Croatia

Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past – Croatia

CESI-Center for Education, Counselling and Research – Croatia

Human Rights House Zagreb – Croatia

Rehabilitation center for stress and trauma – Croatia

Adra Česká republika – Czech Republic

Open Society Fund/ Nadace OSF Praha – Czech Republic

Transparency International ČR– Czech Republic

Člověk v tísni – People in Need – Czech Republic

Forum 2000 - The Forum 2000 Foundation - Czech Republic

META – Společnost pro příležitosti mladých migrantů - Association for opportunities of young migrants - Czech Republic

Most pro o.p.s. - poradna pro cizince – Czech Republic

SIMI – Sdružení pro integraci a migraci – Association for integration and migration- Czech Republic

Glopolis – Glopolis - Czech Republic

Centrum pro integraci cizinců - Centre for Integration of Foreigners - Czech Republic

Diakonie (Českobratrské církve evangelické) – Diaconia (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) - Czech Republic

Most - Czech Republic

Konsorcium nevládních organizací pracujících s migranty – Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations - Czech Republic

DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights - Asociace pro podporu demokracie a lidských práv - Czech Republic

Pavel Havlicek, Analyst at the Research Centre, Association for International Affairs Prague, Czech Republic

Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům – Organization for aid to refugees

Denmark          Nyt Europa – Denmark

Kehitysmaayhdistys Pääskyt ry - Finland       

Suomen Pakolaisapu | Finnish Refugee Council - Finland  

ETMU ry (Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration) - Finland           

Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö – Allianssi ry - Finland     

Suomen Setlementtiliitto - Finland   

Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto - Finland     

Suomen Mielenterveysseura ry - Finland      

Ihmisoikeusliitto ry - Finnish League for Human Rights - Finland     

Kehitysyhteistyöjärjestöjen EU-yhdistys Kehys ry - The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU Kehys - Finland

Vammaisten perus- ja ihmisoikeusjärjestö Kynnys ry - Finland

Suomen somalialaisten liitto - Finland         

Seta LGBTIQ Rights in Finland - Finland     

Trasek ry - Finland     

LSVD – Germany

HES – Germany

ADRA Deutschland e.V - Germany    

BAfF e.V.-Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer  - Germany

Forum Menschenrechte - Germany   

VENRO - Verband Entwicklungspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen e.V. - Germany  

Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI) - Germany        

Adivasi-Koordination in Deutschland e.V. - Germany          

ACAT-Deutschland e.V. - Germany   

Missionsärztliches Institut Würzburg - Germany

Deutsches Medikamenten-Hilfswerk action medeor e.V. - Germany 

Deutsche Kommission Justitia et Pax - Germany      

Germanwatch e.V. - Germany

Welthaus Bielefeld e.V. – Germany

Civil Liberties Union for Europe e.V." - Germany

CILD - Italian Civil Liberties Advocacy Coalition – Italy

Dr Andrea Gullotta, Memorial Italia Italy

Antigone - Italy

Front Line Defenders – Ireland

Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation – Ireland

Christian Aid Ireland – Ireland

Transgender Equality Network Ireland - Ireland

Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation - Latvia      

Latvia's Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health – Latvia

ASTI (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés) - Luxembourg    

Passerell - Luxembourg         

ACAT Luxemburg - Luxembourg       

Reech eng Hand - Luxembourg        

Caritas Luxembourg - Luxembourg   

Aidsfonds – Netherlands

Amsterdamse Diakonie – Netherlands

Article 19 – Netherlands

ASKV -  Steunpunt Vluchtelingen – Netherlands

Blikopeners – Netherlands

Civicus – Netherlands

Clara Wichmannfonds – Netherlands

Dance4Life – Netherlands

Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists (NJCM) – Netherlands

Free Press Unlimited – Netherlands

Humanistisch Verbond – Netherlands

Humanity House – Netherlands

IMMO - instituut voor Mensenrechten en Medisch Onderzoek – Netherlands

INLIA - International Network of Local Initiatives with Asylumseekers – Netherlands

Justice and Peace Project – Netherlands

KOMPASS – Netherlands

La Strada - Netherlands

Libereco - Partnership for Human Rights – Netherlands

Milieudefensie – Netherlands

Movies that Matter – Netherlands

Netherlands Helsinki Committee – Netherlands

Foundation Max van der Stoel - Netherlands

NVJ - Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten – Netherlands

Oxfam – Netherlands

Partizan Publik – Netherlands

Pax – Netherlands

Power of Art House – Netherlands

Privacy First – Netherlands

Prospector – Netherlands

Stichting LOS - Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt – Netherlands

Stichting Vluchteling – Netherlands

Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten – UAF – Netherlands

The Amsterdam Gay Pride – Netherlands

The Hague Peace Projects – Netherlands

Transnational Institute (TNI) – Netherlands

VLot - fonds voor vluchtelingen – Netherlands

VluchtelingenWerk NL - Netherlands

Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego - Poland

Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska - Poland

Projekt: Polska - Poland

Stowarzyszenie przeciw Antysemityzmowi i Ksenofobii Otwarta Rzeczpospolita - Poland  

Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej - Poland          

Instytut Spraw Publicznych - Poland

Fundacja ePaństwo - Poland

Panoptykon - Poland

Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Antydyskryminacyjnego - Poland

Fundacja Pole Dialogu - Poland

Polski Instytut Praw Człowieka I Biznesu - Poland

Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza - Poland

Pracownia Badań i Innowacji Społecznych "Stocznia - Poland

Towarzystwo Edukacji Antydyskryminacyjnej - Poland

Fundacja Autonomia - Poland

Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor - Poland

Małopolskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe z Nowego Sącza - Poland

Fundacja Ari Ari - Poland

Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych - Poland

Instytut Prawa i Społeczeństwa - Poland

Fundacja Partners Polska – Poland

Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka - Poland

Grupy Zagranica – Poland

The Unit for Social Innovation & Research Shipyard - Poland

INPRIS - Institute for Law and Society - Poland

National Federation of Polish NGOs - Poland

Centre for International Relations (CIR)         - Poland

Citizens Network Watchdog Poland    - Poland

Institute of Public Affairs - Poland

Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia Open Republic           - Poland

Stefan Batory Foundation      Poland

​Danuta Przywara, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights    Poland

Inițiativa România - Romania

NGOs Federation for Children Romania - Romania

RISE Romania - Romania

Resource Center for Public Participation - CeRe (Romania) - Romania

FONSS (The Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations for Social Services) - Romania

Gabriela Tudor Foundation    - Romania

Mediawise Society Association - Romania

The Civil Society Development Foundation - Romania

Expert Forum  - Romania

Center for Independent Journalism    - Romania

Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil - Romania

Asociatia One World Romania - Romania

Asociatia Militia Spirituala     - Romania

ActiveWatch   - Romania

CENTRAS - Romania

Asociatia Pro Democratia - Romania

Agenția Impreuna       - Romania

Fundatia Estuar - Romania

Dizabnet – Federatia prestatorilor pentru persoane cu dizabilitati - Romania

The Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief - Romania

Alaturi de Voi Romania – Romania

Moscow Helsinki Group – Russia

Igor Vladimirovich Batov, Chairman of the Council of the Pskov Regional Environmental Rights Human Rights Movement ʺFree Coastʺ, a member of the Public Chamber of the Pskov region - Russia

Andrei Suslov, Center for Citizanship Education and Human Rights, Perm – Russia

Evdokimova Natalia Leonidovna, Human Rights Council of St. Petersburg. - Russia

Lilia Shibanova, member of the Moscow Helsinki Group      Russia

Bureau for Regional Outreach Campaigns - BROC   Vladivostok, Russia

Pride Kosice - Slovakia         

Central European Forum - Slovakia  

Human Rights League - Slovakia      

Slovak Humanitarian Council - Slovakia       

People in Need Slovakia - Slovakia  

Via Iuris - Slovakia     

Inakosť - Slovakia       

Transfuzia - Slovakia 

Bi-centrum - Slova

Properties

Date: February 19, 2018
Activity: Human Rights Defenders
Type: Urgent Interventions
Country: Hungary
Subjects: Human Rights Defenders, Justice system, Threats, intimidation and harassment

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