Current:Home > FinanceNews outlets and NGOs condemn Hungary’s new ‘sovereignty protection’ law as a way to silence critics -AssetTrainer
News outlets and NGOs condemn Hungary’s new ‘sovereignty protection’ law as a way to silence critics
View
Date:2025-04-25 21:33:35
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Independent media outlets and rights groups on Wednesday condemned legislation passed by Hungary’s right-wing populist government that would allow authorities to investigate and prosecute people accused of undermining the country’s sovereignty.
The coalition government made up of the Fidesz and KDNP parties approved the “sovereignty protection act” on Tuesday. It calls for the creation of a new government authority that will have the power to gather information on any groups or individuals that benefit from foreign funding and that influence public debate.
The measure requires Hungary’s secret services to assist the authority in its investigations and allows prison terms of up to three years for anyone convicted of violated the new law.
Opponents of the legislation have compared it to Russia’s “foreign agent” law and say its broad language can be used to arbitrarily target government critics. The country’s right-wing prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has long been accused of taking over the majority of Hungary’s media and building an autocratic political system that undermines democratic norms.
Representatives of 10 independent news outlets signed an open letter decrying the law, saying the Hungarian government had unjustly accused them of “serving foreign interests.”
“This is a deliberate lie, which defames not only the newsrooms that do vital work for democracy, but also those Hungarians who watch, listen to and read their content,” the outlets wrote, adding that independent newsrooms in Hungary have been transparent and not benefited from “hidden funds or subsidies.”
Hungary’s government argues that the law is designed to prevent political parties from receiving funding from abroad for election campaigns, as it claims was done by a coalition of six opposition parties before a 2022 parliamentary election that resulted in Orbán handily winning a fourth straight term in power.
In November, Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, urged Hungary’s government to retract the bill, saying it “poses a significant risk to human rights and should be abandoned.”
If the law was adopted, Mijatovic wrote at the time, it would provide Hungary’s government “with even more opportunity to silence and stigmatize independent voices and opponents.”
A group of Hungarian non-governmental organizations has also condemned the law in a letter signed by seven rights groups, including Amnesty International, Transparency International and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union.
The groups called the legislation “nothing more than a political propaganda project built upon secret service methods” and charged that it is in violation of Hungary’s constitutional, international and EU obligations. They vowed to take legal action against the law and “provide support and assistance to targeted civil communities, activists and media actors.”
Passage of the law comes as Hungary remains in a protracted struggle with the European Union, which has frozen billions in funding to Budapest over concerns that Orbán’s government has overseen democratic backsliding and trampled on the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and asylum seekers.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen , the four largest political groupings in the EU’s Parliament urged the commission to abandon a plan to free up a portion of the frozen funds after the Hungarian government made reforms to its judicial system.
The lawmakers pointed to the Hungarian sovereignty law as another sign that Orbán had not changed course, noting that that the new sovereignty authority would be under his direct control and equip him “with sweeping powers without any democratic supervision.”
“It is evident that a fair allocation of EU funds in Hungary is virtually impossible,” the lawmakers wrote.
veryGood! (82)
Related
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- 24 more monkeys that escaped from a South Carolina lab are recovered unharmed
- One person is dead after a shooting at Tuskegee University
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
Ranking
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- Let Demi Moore’s Iconic Fashion Give You More Inspiration
- Trump's 'stop
- Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
- These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
- Is Veterans Day a federal holiday? Here's what to know for November 11
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
NFL Week 10 injury report: Live updates on active, inactive players for Sunday's games
The Cowboys, claiming to be 'all in' prior to Dak Prescott's injury, are in a rare spot: Irrelevance
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Man killed in Tuskegee University shooting in Alabama is identified. 16 others were hurt
Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Explains His Stance on His Daughter Gwendlyn Brown’s Sexuality
Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident