Sounding the Alarm: Council of Europe Urges Hungarian MPs to Hold off on NGO Bill
Council of Europe advises Hungarian lawmakers to abstain from voting on the NGO legislation
In light of Hungary's planned law to regulate foreign-funded media and NGOs, the Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, has penned a letter to Hungarian MPs. He beseeches them to withhold their votes on the bill unless it conforms to international human rights standards.
The proposed legislation empowers the Hungarian government to place organizations on a blacklist if they are deemed to threaten the country's sovereignty through foreign-funded influence in public life. Organizations on the blacklist will be barred from receiving international funds and denied the possibility of receiving support from Hungarian taxpayers via a one percent income tax contribution.
Critics, including opposition parties and the European Union (EU) Commission, fear the legislation is an attempt to stifle political dissent, mirroring the tactics of Russia. The EU Commission has previously butted heads with Hungary's right-wing nationalist government and has threatened to undertake "appropriate steps" if the bill is not withdrawn.
With a comfortable majority in parliament, the Fidesz Party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban, is expected to smoothly approve the bill. Protestors took to the streets over the weekend to voice their opposition to the planned legislation.
A Closer Look: Foreign-funded NGOs in Hungary
- Government Control: The legislation would permit the Hungarian government to list organizations believed to be wielding undue foreign influence over domestic affairs. These organizations would then need a permit to receive money from foreign sources.
- Financial Impact: The blacklisting of organizations would also cut off their access to a significant source of income—the one percent income tax contribution from Hungarian taxpayers, which is a crucial funding source for non-profit organizations in Hungary.
On the Radar: European Union and International Human Rights Laws
- Compliance Concerns: Critics worry that the bill may violate European standards, including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, and other international human rights laws.
- Global Concerns: The postponement of the bill is being viewed by some global observers as a positive development, offering hope that the delay could become permanent. Implementation of the bill could potentially infringe on the legitimate activities of NGOs, leading to significant threats to the freedoms protected by international human rights laws.
Brace Yourself: Potential Consequences
- Civil Society Impact: If enacted, the bill could result in tighter regulation and legal hurdles for NGOs, potentially discouraging them through the fear of government sanctions or restrictions. This could affect not only NGOs but also organizations dependent on foreign funding.
- International Relations: The bill's implementation could strain Hungary's relationships with international bodies and other European nations if it is seen as a breach of European human rights standards.
In the meantime, international vigilance is critical to ensure any future legislation agrees with international human rights norms.
- The Council of Europe's Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty, has appealed to Hungarian MPs to postpone voting on the controversial bill regulating foreign-funded media and NGOs until it aligns with international human rights standards, as failure to do so may violate policy and legislation such as the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.
- In the context of politics and general news, the European Union (EU) Commission has expressed concerns that Hungary's proposed law to control foreign-funded organizations could mirror Russia's efforts to suppress political dissent, potentially infringing on the legitimate activities of NGOs and adversely impacting international relations.
