Hungarian NGOs protest against sovereignty protection bill
06 December 2023
Over a hundred NGOs in Hungary have voiced their discontent in relation to a planned law, introduced to parliament by the Fidesz ruling party. The proposed bill – which is designed to protect the political freedom of the state and reduce foreign influence – has caused major outcry in the civil sphere and among opposition parties.
Now, over a hundred NGOs have issued a joint statement, objecting to the introduction of the bill. According to the signatories, the wording of the bill is deliberately vague, which threatens abuse by the increasingly authoritarian government. NGOs and journalists are afraid that the newly established Sovereignty Protection Authority will be used by the state to crack down on the remnants of civil society and political opponents, who have so far relied on foreign financial support.
 | Erik Szilárd Boros The planned bill will further reduce the capacities of Hungarian civil organisations and make the life of the Budapest branches of international NGOs much harder by blocking them from accepting foreign funds, or threatening them with jail time if they do. As the law doesn’t specify what counts as foreign interference, or what threatens the sovereignty of the nation, it’s up to the authority’s interpretation, which opens the room for abuse of power by the Fidesz government. |
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