Hungarian Law: International Concerns Mount as Parliament Prepares to Vote
European Council urges Hungarian lawmakers to abstain from voting on NGO legislation
Get ready for some heated debates! Hungary's controversial bill to oversee foreign-funded media and NGOs is about to hit the Parliament floor. The human rights commissioner of the Council of Europe, Michael O'Flaherty, has issued an urgent plea to Hungarian lawmakers: abstain from voting on this bill unless it's in line with international human rights laws, he stated in a blunt letter to the Hungarian MPs.
The proposal tables the power for the Hungarian government to blacklist organizations assumed to sabotage Hungary's sovereignty through foreign funding meddling in public affairs. If an organization ends up on this ominous list, they'll need special permission to accept foreign cash and won't be able to tap into Hungarian taxpayer funding—a substantial income source for numerous Hungarian non-profits.
Opposition voices claim the government aims to gag political opponents, following in the footsteps of Russia. The EU Commission, locked in a longstanding conflict with Budapest's right-wing government, has thrown its weight behind this criticism—recommending a bill withdrawal, with the threat of punitive measures looming if it doesn't.
Slated for a mid-June vote, the ruling Fidesz party, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, appears likely to push the legislation through due to their comfortable majority. However, this hasn't quelled public outcry; thousands of protesters took to the streets against the law just over the weekend.
So, what's all the fuss about? Critics warn that Hungary's legislation on "Transparency of Public Life" could severely undermine freedom of expression, association, and privacy. It could empower the Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) to inspect newsrooms, snatch documents, and scrutinize financial transactions—potentially leading to a chilling effect on independent media and civil society.
What's more, the bill may threaten the EU’s principles, jeopardizing the freedom of expression, association, and legal professional privilege. It also undermines EU data protection legislation and internal market freedoms. Non-compliant media outlets could even be shut down due to hefty fines or repeated violations. Executives and founders found on the SPO's naughty list may face asset declarations, adding layers of scrutiny and potential harassment.
As democracy and human rights hung in the balance, one question remains: Will the legislative magicians in Budapest heed the global cry for due process or march on determined to assert a more authoritarian control? The Midas-touch of Viktor Orban awaits on the Parliament floor.
[1] ntv.de[2] AFP[3] Open Society Foundations[4] Hungarian Civil Liberties Union
The upcoming vote on the controversial bill in Hungary's Parliament, which includes the oversight of foreign-funded media and NGOs, has sparked concern as it may potentially violate international human rights laws, as highlighted by the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner, Michael O'Flaherty.
This legislation, referred to as the "Transparency of Public Life" bill, could encroach upon freedom of expression, association, and privacy, as well as pose a threat to the EU’s principles and data protection legislation, potentially leading to stiff penalties for non-compliant media outlets and affected individuals. The stage is set for a significant clash of policy-and-legislation, politics, and general-news, as the world watches to see if Hungary's Parliament will adhere to international standards or pursue a more authoritarian path.
