Steer Clear: Hungarian MPs Urged to Skip Vote on Contested NGO Law
Council of Europe urges Hungarian legislators to refrain from voting on the NGO legislation
In a recent appeal, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, implores Hungarian lawmakers to refrain from partaking in the upcoming vote on a contentious draft law proposed by the right-wing regime. The proposed law seeks to regulate media and NGOs receiving foreign funds, sparking international concern.
The proposed legislation empowers the Hungarian government to put organizations on a blacklist if they allegedly influence Hungary's sovereignty by dipping their toes in foreign funds. Organizations on this list would need permission to receive funds from abroad and would forego a substantial revenue source - the one percent tax on income from Hungarian taxpayers.
Critics, particularly the Hungarian opposition, accuse the government of silencing political adversaries, in echoes of Russia's "foreign agent" law. The European Union Commission, embroiled in years-long conflict with the right-wing government in Budapest, has urged its withdrawal and warned of potential consequences if it is not.
With the Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, possessing a comfortable majority, the vote's passage seems inevitable. However, protests against the proposed law in Hungary have been occurring, with thousands demonstrating over the weekend.
The parliamentary vote was initially scheduled for mid-June, but due to ongoing debates within the Fidesz party about the legal means to defend Hungary's sovereignty, the vote has been postponed until the autumn.
[2]: AFP news agency[3]: New York Times[4]: European Union Commission[5]: World Briefing
- The contentious draft law in Hungary, concerning media and NGOs receiving foreign funds, has raised concerns about migration and war-and-conflicts policies, as it could potentially be used to influence political discussions and legislation.
- The proposed legislation, under scrutiny for its possible implications on employment policy, has been compared to Russia's "foreign agent" law, raising concerns about suppression of political opposition and freedom of speech.
- Amidst protests from the general public, the parliamentary vote on this employment policy has been postponed from mid-June to the autumn, due to internal debates within the Fidesz party over policy-and-legislation and politics.
