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Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday proposed a bill that would impose sweeping restrictions on organizations seen as threats to national sovereignty. The bill expands the powers of the controversial Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) and tightens government control over civil society. Civil society includes nonprofits, advocacy groups, independent media, and other community actors that operate independently from the government.
Titled the “Transparency in Public Life” bill, the draft legislation was submitted by János Halász — a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party. It would authorize the SPO to investigate foreign-funded organizations and recommend placing them on a list of entities subject to enhanced government oversight.
The SPO was created in 2023 under a law aimed at protecting Hungary from foreign interference. It has broad powers to collect information on groups and individuals receiving foreign funding, with assistance from Hungary’s secret services. Critics say the office lacks transparency and acts as a tool to intimidate NGOs, journalists, and civil society groups that criticize the government.
The Hungarian government argues that foreign funding of domestic organizations can serve as a channel for external powers to influence political decisions and public opinion, posing a threat to national sovereignty. This concern intensified after allegations that opposition parties received foreign money ahead of the 2022 parliamentary election. However, critics dispute these claims and view the bill as a political tool to silence dissent.
Under the new bill, organizations labeled as threats to a sovereign Hungary would face significant legal and financial burdens. These include declaring their assets, losing access to personal income tax benefits, and proving that their donors are not sending money from abroad without approval. If an organization accepts foreign funding without permission, it could be fined up to 25 times the amount received. Failure to pay within 15 days might force the organization to shut down.
The bill would also give the SPO authority to enter offices, examine documents and electronic devices, and freeze suspicious funds. Critics argue that groups challenging Hungary’s constitutional identity, Christian values, or traditional family structures could fall under the bill’s criteria. Such groups include those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights or gender equality.
Critics warn the bill closely follows Russia’s 2012 “foreign agents” law, which has been used to discredit and silence NGOs, journalists, and human rights defenders. Russia’s law was recently expanded to label anyone considered under “foreign influence” as an agent of a foreign country, imposing strict restrictions on their activities. Critics see Hungary’s bill as adopting a similar approach using broad definitions to suppress dissent and control civil society.
Similar legislation has also been adopted by other countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia, with the former adopting an independent legislation last year as with Russia and the latter passing a series of amendments last month to existing legislation.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony called the bill “following the Russian playbook,” while Chair of the opposition Momentum Party Márton Tompos warned that it could effectively shut down nearly all independent media and civil society groups in Hungary
The European Commission has already taken legal action against Hungary over the 2023 law that established the SPO in the first place. The Commission argues the law violates EU protections for freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the protection of personal data.
This new bill goes further by treating all foreign funding, including grants from the EU, as inherently suspicious. It criminalizes activities that “portray Hungary in a negative light.” Violations could result in heavy fines or prison sentences of up to three years.
Human rights advocates warn the bill threatens democratic pluralism, adversely affecting the ability of diverse groups and opinions to coexist and participate freely in society and government, and risks silencing critical voices.
If passed, the Transparency in Public Life bill would represent a major escalation in Hungary’s efforts to control civil society and limit foreign influence. Critics raise serious concerns about media freedom, representative democracy, and Hungary’s obligations as a member of the EU.
The post Hungary proposes controversial Russian-style legislation to investigate foreign-funded organizations appeared first on JURIST - News.
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Titled the “Transparency in Public Life” bill, the draft legislation was submitted by János Halász — a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party. It would authorize the SPO to investigate foreign-funded organizations and recommend placing them on a list of entities subject to enhanced government oversight.
The SPO was created in 2023 under a law aimed at protecting Hungary from foreign interference. It has broad powers to collect information on groups and individuals receiving foreign funding, with assistance from Hungary’s secret services. Critics say the office lacks transparency and acts as a tool to intimidate NGOs, journalists, and civil society groups that criticize the government.
The Hungarian government argues that foreign funding of domestic organizations can serve as a channel for external powers to influence political decisions and public opinion, posing a threat to national sovereignty. This concern intensified after allegations that opposition parties received foreign money ahead of the 2022 parliamentary election. However, critics dispute these claims and view the bill as a political tool to silence dissent.
Under the new bill, organizations labeled as threats to a sovereign Hungary would face significant legal and financial burdens. These include declaring their assets, losing access to personal income tax benefits, and proving that their donors are not sending money from abroad without approval. If an organization accepts foreign funding without permission, it could be fined up to 25 times the amount received. Failure to pay within 15 days might force the organization to shut down.
The bill would also give the SPO authority to enter offices, examine documents and electronic devices, and freeze suspicious funds. Critics argue that groups challenging Hungary’s constitutional identity, Christian values, or traditional family structures could fall under the bill’s criteria. Such groups include those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights or gender equality.
Critics warn the bill closely follows Russia’s 2012 “foreign agents” law, which has been used to discredit and silence NGOs, journalists, and human rights defenders. Russia’s law was recently expanded to label anyone considered under “foreign influence” as an agent of a foreign country, imposing strict restrictions on their activities. Critics see Hungary’s bill as adopting a similar approach using broad definitions to suppress dissent and control civil society.
Similar legislation has also been adopted by other countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Slovakia, with the former adopting an independent legislation last year as with Russia and the latter passing a series of amendments last month to existing legislation.
Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony called the bill “following the Russian playbook,” while Chair of the opposition Momentum Party Márton Tompos warned that it could effectively shut down nearly all independent media and civil society groups in Hungary
The European Commission has already taken legal action against Hungary over the 2023 law that established the SPO in the first place. The Commission argues the law violates EU protections for freedom of expression, freedom of association, and the protection of personal data.
This new bill goes further by treating all foreign funding, including grants from the EU, as inherently suspicious. It criminalizes activities that “portray Hungary in a negative light.” Violations could result in heavy fines or prison sentences of up to three years.
Human rights advocates warn the bill threatens democratic pluralism, adversely affecting the ability of diverse groups and opinions to coexist and participate freely in society and government, and risks silencing critical voices.
If passed, the Transparency in Public Life bill would represent a major escalation in Hungary’s efforts to control civil society and limit foreign influence. Critics raise serious concerns about media freedom, representative democracy, and Hungary’s obligations as a member of the EU.
The post Hungary proposes controversial Russian-style legislation to investigate foreign-funded organizations appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.