Venice Commission to publish its opinion on the Hungarian government’s new administrative courts next week
The Venice Commission will be reviewing the Hungarian Government's new Law on administrative courts 15-16th March and is expected to publish its opinion in the following days. The government is also preparing for this, by planning to modify the legislation on administrative courts.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with representatives of civil society organizations
At the invitation of the U.S. State Department, Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Stefánia Kapronczay managing director of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, and Sándor Léderer, director of K-Monitor met with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Special attention was paid to the situation of civil society, as well as to concerns regarding the rule of law in Hungary.
Hungary Moving Beyond Red Lines
On 12 September 2018, the European Parliament voted to trigger proceedings against Hungary under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union on account of the systemic threat to the core values of the EU. Five months later, the risk of a serious breach of core European values has increased as the Hungarian government and the ruling party further reduced the space for dissent and holding government accountable.
Blurring the Boundaries: New Laws on Administrative Courts Undermine Judicial Independence
Blurring the Boundaries: New Laws on Administrative Courts Undermine Judicial Independence If you are interested in our detailed analysis of the proposed draft Bill, click HERE. Judicial independence is now in jeopardy in Hungary.
HHC’s statements and recommendations to the OSCE HDIM 2018
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee gave oral and written statements on the situation in Hungary at the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). On 12 September 2018, the HHC provided a statement on the independence of the judiciary, the right to fair trial, and on democratic lawmaking in Hungary.
Un-faking the government’s claims on administrative courts
The Hungarian Government proposes to establish a new administrative court system. There are no professional reasons behind setting up a new administrative court system and the government has also failed to provide any professional arguments. The decisions on the new court system are made behind closed doors which violates the public’s right to know. Stakes are high.
Hungarian Helsinki Committee co-chair, Márta Pardavi honoured at Human Rights First’s William D. Zabel Human Rights Award
Last night at Human Rights First’s annual awards dinner in New York City, the organization honoured Márta Pardavi, co-chair of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, with its 2018 William D. Zabel Human Rights Award. Ms Pardavi was presented the award in honour of her work fighting for the rights of refugees, migrants, and other marginalized groups in Hungary and across Europe.
Helsinki Committee Wins Thirds Lawsuit Against Ruling Fidesz Party
On 3 October 2018, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) won its third lawsuit against the ruling Fidesz party. The Budapest Court of Appeals ruled in favour of the HHC in a slander lawsuit against Fidesz and Mr János Halász, its former spokesperson.
Criminalisation and taxation
The summary of legal amendments adopted in the summer of 2018 to intimidate human rights defenders in Hungary.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee takes legal action to challenge the anti-NGO laws
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) filed a complaint with the Hungarian Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against the new criminal provision threatening with imprisonment those assisting asylum seekers. As for the so-called ‘special tax on immigration’ this law can only be challenged in Strasbourg, as the ruling majority deprived the Constitutional Court of its right to review tax laws years ago.