Rule of Law
The rule of law means no one is above the law: a government minister, a police officer or a mayor are all required to follow the same rules as you are. Under the rule of law, even a democratically elected government must abide by certain rules and judges, ombudspersons, non-governmental organisations and journalists defend against the government’s abuse of power.
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New developments ignore the letter and spirit of the Baka judgment
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Our activities for the 2024 elections
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Sovereignty Protection Act in Breach of EU Law
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All you need to know about the frozen EU funds for Hungary – and even more, on the Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s visualisation
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Hungarian CSOs contribute to the European Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report
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Threat Assessment of the 2024 Elections to the European Parliament and Local Elections in Hungary
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Perpetuated States of Exception Undermine Legal Certainty and Human Rights
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Responses to the FRANET national focal point for Hungary
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What is the Sovereignty Protection Act?
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Sovereignty Protection Act in Breach of EU Law
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All you need to know about the frozen EU funds for Hungary – and even more, on the Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s visualisation
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Unlawfully fencing off Hungarian PM’s office from Telex journalists: court rules in favour of press freedom
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Courageous civilian defies scaremongering accusation during COVID-19
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Government apologizes and pays compensation to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee
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Hungarian Helsinki Committee wins lawsuit against Government at Supreme Court
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The Constitutional Court has failed to protect human right defenders
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Helsinki Committee wins third lawsuit against ruling Fidesz party
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COMPASS Project (2023-2025)
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Energizing the rule of law in Hungary (2023-2025)
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PROTEUS – Improving the Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s resilience (2023-2024)
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Cooperation with EIN in project “Protecting Freedom of Expression by Supporting ECtHR Implementation” (2023-2025)
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CEBRICS Everyday Heroes project (2023)
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CHARTERWISE – Making the EU Charter a leading human rights litigation tool in Hungary (2023-2024)
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STARLIGHT – Strategic Litigation for Rights in Europe (2022-2024)
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CEBRICS Capacity-building project (2022-2024)
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RED-SPINEL – Responding to Emerging Dissensus. SuPranational Instruments and Norms of European Democracy (2022-2025)
Related Helsinki Files
Thematic collection of related articles
Under the rule of law, you can always find out what the government is doing and why. If you do not agree, you can freely and publicly express your opinion. Under the rule of law, people live in security; knowing exactly what the state expects from them and what they can expect from the state.
Where there is no rule of law, those who dare to criticise the government can be fired from their job, face punishment, abuse or even prison. Where there is no rule of law, a doctor cannot openly point out that the walls of her hospital are crumbling, or that there are not enough bandages or nurses. Without the rule of law, corruption runs rampant, and those with ties to the powerful are placed in well-paid positions instead of talented, qualified people. Where there is no rule of law, police, judges and journalists act on the political orders of the government rather than based on their own professional and moral compass. Where there is no rule of law, workers and the poor live at the mercy of the powerful. Where there is no rule of law, fear and uncertainty reign, and there is no one to protect those who are in trouble or suffering injustice.
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