Civil society under attack in Hungary
TheHungarian government tries to choke critical organisations who still dare tospeak up against human right violations.
The Hungarian government hasproposed a set of laws that if adopted will have a devastating and chillingeffect on civil society.
The proposedlegislative package is part of a wider crackdown on human rights and civilsociety organisations in Hungary, which have been under attack for severalyears. It seeks to punish the legitimate work of civil society groups that defendhuman rights, provide legal and social services, and offer support to peopleseeking international protection.
The government’s goal is simple and clear: to silenceindependent and openly critical NGOs. These include organisations such as AmnestyInternational Hungary, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the HungarianHelsinki Committee, among many others.
"This threatens the very existence of organisations doingcrucial 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.
SolidarityAction with Civil Society in Hungary
The actions by the Hungariangovernment are disturbing and unjustified. Again and again the authorities havecrossed red lines but this has not remained unseen.
The defenders of rights and freedomsin Hungary are not alone, and an attack on them means an attack on all thosethat dare to speak out and protect others.
More than 250 organisations andplatforms across the world including the World Organisation Against Torture(OMCT) have signed a solidarity letter stating their grave concern over theproposed laws in Hungary, and showing their support to NGOs doing crucial workand whose very existence is at risk. With one voice, civil societyorganisations from around the world are urging the authorities to stop thecrackdown on human rights defenders.
Text of theletter and signatories:
On 13 February 2018, theHungarian government tabled to Parliament a proposed legislative pack of threelaws, commonly referred to as “Stop Soros”. The newly proposed legislationwould further restrict Hungarian civil society ability to carry out their work,by requiring organizations that “support migration” to obtain national securityclearance and a government permit to perform basic functions. The proposed lawwould also require organizations to pay a tax of 25% of any foreign fundingaimed at “supporting migration”.
Failure to do so, wouldsubject them to steps so serious that they could lead to exorbitant fines,bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the NGO involved.
These come in a contextof already shrinking space for civil society in Hungary and contraveneHungary’s obligations under international law to protect the right to freedomof association, expression and movement.
We believe the newproposals represent the latest initiative in the Hungarian government'sescalating effort to crackdown on the legitimate work of civil society groupsin Hungary seeking to promote and defend human rights, provide legal and socialservices to people in need in the country, and publicly express dissentingopinions in the press and online.
As defenders of rightsand freedoms, we want people everywhere to be able to speak out without beingattacked, threatened or jailed. Open debate on matters relating to governmentpolicies and practice is necessary in every society, and human rights defendersshould not face criminalization for voicing their sometimes dissenting voices.Countries need to put laws in place which keep human rights defenders safe fromharm, rather than introducing repressive laws that aim to silence those whospeak out.
Human rights defendersdefend the rights of people in their own communities and their countries, andin doing so they protect all of our rights, globally. Human rights defendersare often the last line of defence for a free and just society and undertakeimmense personal risks and sacrifices to do their work.
We stand in solidaritywith civil society and human rights defenders in Hungary.
They are courageouspeople, committed to creating a fairer society. Without their courage, theworld we live in would be less fair, less just and less equal.
We are calling on theHungarian Parliament to reject the proposed laws in their entirety and let theNGOs and defenders continue their work, instead of defending themselves againstsuch attacks.
The below listed organizations declare their support andsolidarity with non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders inHungary:
ILGA – Europe
Civil Liberties Union forEurope (Liberties)
Human Rights Watch
AEDH - AssociationEuropeenne de Droits de l'Homme
FIDH, within theframework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
World Organisationagainst Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection ofHuman Rights Defenders
Light for the World
Funders’ Initiative forCivil Society
Urgent Action Fund forWomen's Human Rights
CONCORD - EuropeanConfederation of Relief and development NGOs
Human Rights First
Transgender Europe
Greenpeace Central andEastern Europe
International CivilSociety Centre
Reporters sans Frontières
ENAR - European NetworkAgainst Racism
European Volunteer Centre
Civil Society Europe
Protection International- Belgium
çavaria vzw - Belgium
11.11.11. - Belgium
Artsen zonder Vakantie –Belgium
VluchtelingenwerkVlaanderen - Belgium
Liga voor mensenrechten –Belgium
WWF Belgium - Belgium
ACAT - Belgique/ Belgie/Belgium
Volonteurope Belgium - Belgium
CROSOL - CroatianPlatform for International Citizen Solidarity - Croatia
Centre for Peace Studiesfrom Zagreb – Croatia
GONG – Croatia
Brod EcologicalSociety-BED - Croatia
Documenta – Center forDealing with the Past – Croatia
CESI-Center forEducation, Counselling and Research – Croatia
Human Rights House Zagreb– Croatia
Rehabilitation center forstress and trauma – Croatia
Adra Česká republika –Czech Republic
Open Society Fund/ NadaceOSF Praha – Czech Republic
TransparencyInternational ČR– Czech Republic
Člověk v tísni –People in Need – Czech Republic
Forum 2000 - The Forum2000 Foundation - Czech Republic
META – Společnost propříležitosti mladých migrantů - Association for opportunities of young migrants- Czech Republic
Most pro o.p.s. -poradna pro cizince – Czech Republic
SIMI – Sdružení prointegraci a migraci – Association for integration and migration- Czech Republic
Glopolis – Glopolis -Czech Republic
Centrum pro integracicizinců - Centre for Integration of Foreigners - Czech Republic
Diakonie (Českobratrskécírkve evangelické) – Diaconia (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) - CzechRepublic
Most - Czech Republic
Konsorcium nevládníchorganizací pracujících s migranty – Consortium of Migrants AssistingOrganizations - Czech Republic
DEMAS – Association forDemocracy Assistance and Human Rights - Asociace pro podporu demokracie alidských práv - Czech Republic
Pavel Havlicek, Analystat the Research Centre, Association for International Affairs Prague, CzechRepublic
Organizace pro pomocuprchlíkům – Organization for aid to refugees
Denmark Nyt Europa – Denmark
KehitysmaayhdistysPääskyt ry - Finland
Suomen Pakolaisapu |Finnish Refugee Council - Finland
ETMU ry (Society for theStudy of Ethnic Relations and International Migration) - Finland
Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö –Allianssi ry - Finland
Suomen Setlementtiliitto- Finland
Ensi- ja turvakotienliitto - Finland
Suomen Mielenterveysseurary - Finland
Ihmisoikeusliitto ry -Finnish League for Human Rights - Finland
KehitysyhteistyöjärjestöjenEU-yhdistys Kehys ry - The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU Kehys - Finland
Vammaisten perus- jaihmisoikeusjärjestö Kynnys ry - Finland
Suomen somalialaistenliitto - Finland
Seta LGBTIQ Rights inFinland - Finland
Trasek ry - Finland
LSVD – Germany
HES – Germany
ADRA Deutschland e.V -Germany
BAfF e.V.-BundesweiteArbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer - Germany
Forum Menschenrechte -Germany
VENRO - VerbandEntwicklungspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe deutscherNichtregierungsorganisationen e.V. - Germany
SolidaritätsdienstInternational e.V. (SODI) - Germany
Adivasi-Koordination inDeutschland e.V. - Germany
ACAT-Deutschland e.V. -Germany
MissionsärztlichesInstitut Würzburg - Germany
DeutschesMedikamenten-Hilfswerk action medeor e.V. - Germany
Deutsche KommissionJustitia et Pax - Germany
Germanwatch e.V. - Germany
Welthaus Bielefeld e.V. –Germany
Civil Liberties Union forEurope e.V." - Germany
CILD - Italian CivilLiberties Advocacy Coalition – Italy
Dr Andrea Gullotta,Memorial Italia Italy
Antigone - Italy
Front Line Defenders –Ireland
Irish Nurses and Midwivesorganisation – Ireland
Christian Aid Ireland –Ireland
Transgender EqualityNetwork Ireland - Ireland
Latvian Platform forDevelopment Cooperation - Latvia
Latvia's Association forFamily Planning and Sexual Health – Latvia
ASTI (Association de Soutienaux Travailleurs Immigrés) - Luxembourg
Passerell - Luxembourg
ACAT Luxemburg -Luxembourg
Reech eng Hand -Luxembourg
Caritas Luxembourg -Luxembourg
Aidsfonds – Netherlands
Amsterdamse Diakonie –Netherlands
Article 19 – Netherlands
ASKV - SteunpuntVluchtelingen – Netherlands
Blikopeners – Netherlands
Civicus – Netherlands
Clara Wichmannfonds –Netherlands
Dance4Life – Netherlands
Dutch section of theInternational Commission of Jurists (NJCM) – Netherlands
Free Press Unlimited –Netherlands
Humanistisch Verbond –Netherlands
Humanity House –Netherlands
IMMO - instituut voorMensenrechten en Medisch Onderzoek – Netherlands
INLIA - InternationalNetwork of Local Initiatives with Asylumseekers – Netherlands
Justice and Peace Project– Netherlands
KOMPASS – Netherlands
La Strada - Netherlands
Libereco - Partnershipfor Human Rights – Netherlands
Milieudefensie –Netherlands
Movies that Matter –Netherlands
Netherlands HelsinkiCommittee – Netherlands
Foundation Max van derStoel - Netherlands
NVJ - NederlandseVereniging van Journalisten – Netherlands
Oxfam – Netherlands
Partizan Publik –Netherlands
Pax – Netherlands
Power of Art House –Netherlands
Privacy First –Netherlands
Prospector – Netherlands
Stichting LOS - LandelijkOngedocumenteerden Steunpunt – Netherlands
Stichting Vluchteling –Netherlands
Stichting voorVluchteling-Studenten – UAF – Netherlands
The Amsterdam Gay Pride –Netherlands
The Hague Peace Projects –Netherlands
Transnational Institute(TNI) – Netherlands
VLot - fonds voorvluchtelingen – Netherlands
VluchtelingenWerk NL -Netherlands
Fundacja im. StefanaBatorego - Poland
Sieć Obywatelska WatchdogPolska - Poland
Projekt: Polska - Poland
Stowarzyszenie przeciwAntysemityzmowi i Ksenofobii Otwarta Rzeczpospolita - Poland
StowarzyszenieInterwencji Prawnej - Poland
Instytut SprawPublicznych - Poland
Fundacja ePaństwo -Poland
Panoptykon - Poland
Polskie Towarzystwo PrawaAntydyskryminacyjnego - Poland
Fundacja Pole Dialogu -Poland
Polski Instytut PrawCzłowieka I Biznesu - Poland
Stowarzyszenie WillaDecjusza - Poland
Pracownia Badań iInnowacji Społecznych "Stocznia - Poland
Towarzystwo EdukacjiAntydyskryminacyjnej - Poland
Fundacja Autonomia -Poland
Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor- Poland
Małopolskie TowarzystwoOświatowe z Nowego Sącza - Poland
Fundacja Ari Ari - Poland
Ogólnopolska FederacjaOrganizacji Pozarządowych - Poland
Instytut Prawa iSpołeczeństwa - Poland
Fundacja Partners Polska –Poland
Helsińska Fundacja PrawCzłowieka - Poland
Grupy Zagranica – Poland
The Unit for SocialInnovation & Research Shipyard - Poland
INPRIS - Institute forLaw and Society - Poland
National Federation ofPolish NGOs - Poland
Centre for InternationalRelations (CIR) - Poland
Citizens Network WatchdogPoland - Poland
Institute of PublicAffairs - Poland
Association againstAnti-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 forChildren Romania - Romania
RISE Romania - Romania
Resource Center forPublic Participation - CeRe (Romania) -Romania
FONSS (The Federation ofNon-Governmental Organisations for Social Services) - Romania
Gabriela Tudor Foundation - Romania
Mediawise SocietyAssociation - Romania
The Civil SocietyDevelopment Foundation - Romania
Expert Forum - Romania
Center for IndependentJournalism - Romania
Federatia OrganizatiilorNeguvernamentale pentru Copil - Romania
Asociatia One WorldRomania - Romania
Asociatia MilitiaSpirituala - Romania
ActiveWatch - Romania
CENTRAS - Romania
Asociatia Pro Democratia- Romania
Agenția Impreuna - Romania
Fundatia Estuar - Romania
Dizabnet – Federatiaprestatorilor pentru persoane cu dizabilitati - Romania
The Swedish Organisationfor 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 RightsMovement ʺFree Coastʺ, a member of the Public Chamber of the Pskov region -Russia
Andrei Suslov, Center forCitizanship Education and Human Rights, Perm – Russia
Evdokimova NataliaLeonidovna, Human Rights Council of St. Petersburg. - Russia
Lilia Shibanova, memberof the Moscow Helsinki Group Russia
Bureau for RegionalOutreach Campaigns - BROC Vladivostok,Russia
Pride Kosice - Slovakia
Central European Forum -Slovakia
Human Rights League -Slovakia
Slovak HumanitarianCouncil - Slovakia
People in Need Slovakia -Slovakia
Via Iuris - Slovakia
Inakosť - Slovakia
Transfuzia - Slovakia
Bi-centrum - Slova