In solidarity with Civil Society in Hungary

19/02/2018
Press release
en fa

On 13 February 2018, the Hungarian government tabled to Parliament a proposed legislative pack of three laws, commonly referred to as “Stop Soros”. The newly proposed legislation would further restrict Hungarian civil society ability to carry out their work, by requiring organizations that “support migration” to obtain national security clearance and a government permit to perform basic functions. The proposed law would also require organizations to pay a tax of 25% of any foreign funding aimed at “supporting migration”.
Failure to do so, would subject them to steps so serious that they could lead to exorbitant fines, bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the NGO involved.

These come in a context of already shrinking space for civil society in Hungary and contravene Hungary’s obligations under international law to protect the right to freedom of association, expression and movement.
We believe the new proposals represent the latest initiative in the Hungarian government’s escalating effort to crackdown on the legitimate work of civil society groups in Hungary seeking to promote and defend human rights, provide legal and social services to people in need in the country, and publicly express dissenting opinions in the press and online.

As defenders of rights and freedoms, we want people everywhere to be able to speak out without being attacked, threatened or jailed. Open debate on matters relating to government policies and practice is necessary in every society, and human rights defenders should not face criminalization for voicing their sometimes dissenting voices. Countries need to put laws in place which keep human rights defenders safe from harm, rather than introducing repressive laws that aim to silence those who speak out.
Human rights defenders defend the rights of people in their own communities and their countries, and in doing so they protect all of our rights, globally. Human rights defenders are often the last line of defence for a free and just society and undertake immense personal risks and sacrifices to do their work.

We stand in solidarity with civil society and human rights defenders in Hungary.
They are courageous people, committed to creating a fairer society. Without their courage, the world we live in would be less fair, less just and less equal.

We are calling on the Hungarian Parliament to reject the proposed laws in their entirety and let the NGOs and defenders continue their work, instead of defending themselves against such attacks.
The below listed organizations declare their support and solidarity with non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders in Hungary:

  1. Amnesty International
  2. ILGA - Europe
  3. Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)
  4. Human Rights Watch
  5. AEDH - Association Europeenne de Droits de l’Homme
  6. FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
  7. World Organisation against Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
  8. Light for the World
  9. Funders’ Initiative for Civil Society
  10. Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights
  11. CONCORD - European Confederation of Relief and development NGOs
  12. Human Rights First
  13. Transgender Europe
  14. Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe
  15. International Civil Society Centre
  16. Reporters sans Frontières
  17. ENAR - European Network Against Racism
  18. European Volunteer Centre
  19. Civil Society Europe
  20. Oxfam
  21. Civicus
  22. European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL)
  23. Le Réseau EUROMED DROITSUNITED for Intercultural Action - European network against nationalism, racism, fascism and in support of migrants and refugees
  24. Protection International - Belgium
  25. çavaria vzw - Belgium
  26. 11.11.11. - Belgium
  27. Artsen zonder Vakantie - Belgium
  28. Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen - Belgium
  29. Liga voor mensenrechten - Belgium
  30. WWF Belgium - Belgium
  31. ACAT - Belgique/ Belgie/ Belgium
  32. Volonteurope Belgium - Belgium
  33. CROSOL - Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity - Croatia
  34. Centre for Peace Studies from Zagreb - Croatia
  35. GONG - Croatia
  36. Brod Ecological Society - BED - Croatia
  37. Documenta - Center for Dealing with the Past - Croatia
  38. CESI - Center for Education, Counselling and Research - Croatia
  39. Human Rights House Zagreb - Croatia
  40. Rehabilitation center for stress and trauma - Croatia
  41. Civic Committee for Human Rights - Croatia
  42. Adra Česká republika - Czech Republic
  43. Open Society Fund/ Nadace OSF Praha - Czech Republic
  44. The Civil Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti - NROS
  45. Transparency International ČR- Czech Republic
  46. Člověk v tísni - People in Need - Czech Republic
  47. Forum 2000 - The Forum 2000 Foundation - Czech Republic
  48. META - Společnost pro příležitosti mladých migrantů - Association for opportunities of young migrants - Czech Republic
  49. Most pro o.p.s. - poradna pro cizince - Czech Republic
  50. SIMI - Sdružení pro integraci a migraci - Association for integration and migration- Czech Republic
  51. Glopolis - Glopolis - Czech Republic
  52. Centrum pro integraci cizinců - Centre for Integration of Foreigners - Czech Republic
  53. Diakonie (Českobratrské církve evangelické) - Diaconia (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) - Czech Republic
  54. Most - Czech Republic
  55. Konsorcium nevládních organizací pracujících s migranty - Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations - Czech Republic
  56. DEMAS - Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights - Asociace pro podporu demokracie a lidských práv - Czech Republic
  57. Pavel Havlicek, Analyst at the Research Centre, Association for International Affairs Prague, Czech Republic
  58. Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům - Organization for aid to refugees
  59. Denmark Nyt Europa - Denmark
  60. Kehitysmaayhdistys Pääskyt ry - Finland
  61. Suomen Pakolaisapu | Finnish Refugee Council - Finland
  62. ETMU ry (Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration) - Finland
  63. Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö - Allianssi ry - Finland
  64. Suomen Setlementtiliitto - Finland
  65. Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto - Finland
  66. Suomen Mielenterveysseura ry - Finland
  67. Ihmisoikeusliitto ry - Finnish League for Human Rights - Finland
  68. Kehitysyhteistyöjärjestöjen EU-yhdistys Kehys ry - The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU Kehys - Finland
  69. Vammaisten perus- ja ihmisoikeusjärjestö Kynnys ry - Finland
  70. Suomen somalialaisten liitto - Finland
  71. Seta LGBTIQ Rights in Finland - Finland
  72. Trasek ry - Finland
  73. Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH)
  74. Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland (LSVD) - Germany
  75. Hirschfeld-Eddy-Stiftung (HES) - Germany
  76. ADRA Deutschland e.V - Germany
  77. BAfF e.V.-Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer - Germany
  78. Forum Menschenrechte - Germany
  79. VENRO - Verband Entwicklungspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen e.V. - Germany
  80. Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI) - Germany
  81. Adivasi-Koordination in Deutschland e.V. - Germany
  82. ACAT-Deutschland e.V. - Germany
  83. Missionsärztliches Institut Würzburg - Germany
  84. Deutsches Medikamenten-Hilfswerk action medeor e.V. - Germany
  85. Deutsche Kommission Justitia et Pax - Germany
  86. Germanwatch e.V. - Germany
  87. Welthaus Bielefeld e.V. - Germany
  88. Civil Liberties Union for Europe e.V." - Germany
  89. Weltveränderer e.V.- Germany
  90. CILD - Italian Civil Liberties Advocacy Coalition - Italy
  91. Dr Andrea Gullotta, Memorial Italia Italy
  92. Antigone - Italy
  93. LIDU - Lega Italiana dei diritti dell’Uomo
  94. Front Line Defenders - Ireland
  95. Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation - Ireland
  96. Christian Aid Ireland - Ireland
  97. Transgender Equality Network Ireland - Ireland
  98. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) - Ireland
  99. Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation - Latvia
  100. Latvia’s Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health - Latvia
  101. ASTI (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés) - Luxembourg
  102. Passerell - Luxembourg
  103. ACAT Luxemburg - Luxembourg
  104. Reech eng Hand - Luxembourg
  105. Caritas Luxembourg - Luxembourg
  106. David Barkin - Profesor de Economía Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco,Mexico
  107. Aidsfonds - Netherlands
  108. Amsterdamse Diakonie - Netherlands
  109. Article 19 - Netherlands
  110. ASKV - Steunpunt Vluchtelingen - Netherlands
  111. Blikopeners - Netherlands
  112. Clara Wichmannfonds - Netherlands
  113. Dance4Life - Netherlands
  114. Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists (NJCM) - Netherlands
  115. Free Press Unlimited - Netherlands
  116. Humanistisch Verbond - Netherlands
  117. Humanity House - Netherlands
  118. IMMO - instituut voor Mensenrechten en Medisch Onderzoek - Netherlands
  119. INLIA - International Network of Local Initiatives with Asylumseekers - Netherlands
  120. Justice and Peace Netherlands - Netherlands
  121. KOMPASS - Netherlands
  122. La Strada - Netherlands
  123. Libereco - Partnership for Human Rights - Netherlands
  124. Milieudefensie - Netherlands
  125. Movies that Matter - Netherlands
  126. Netherlands Helsinki Committee - Netherlands
  127. Foundation Max van der Stoel - Netherlands
  128. NVJ - Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten - Netherlands
  129. Partizan Publik - Netherlands
  130. Pax - Netherlands
  131. Power of Art House - Netherlands
  132. Privacy First - Netherlands
  133. Prospector - Netherlands
  134. Stichting LOS - Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt - Netherlands
  135. Stichting Vluchteling - Netherlands
  136. Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten - UAF - Netherlands
  137. The Amsterdam Gay Pride - Netherlands
  138. The Hague Peace Projects - Netherlands
  139. Transnational Institute (TNI) - Netherlands
  140. VLot - fonds voor vluchtelingen - Netherlands
  141. VluchtelingenWerk NL - Netherlands
  142. The Norwegian Helsinki Committee - Norway
  143. Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego - Poland
  144. Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska - Poland
  145. Projekt: Polska - Poland
  146. Stowarzyszenie przeciw Antysemityzmowi i Ksenofobii Otwarta Rzeczpospolita - Poland
  147. Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej - Poland
  148. Instytut Spraw Publicznych - Poland
  149. Fundacja ePaństwo - Poland
  150. Panoptykon - Poland
  151. Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Antydyskryminacyjnego - Poland
  152. Fundacja Pole Dialogu - Poland
  153. Polski Instytut Praw Człowieka I Biznesu - Poland
  154. Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza - Poland
  155. Pracownia Badań i Innowacji Społecznych "Stocznia - Poland
  156. Towarzystwo Edukacji Antydyskryminacyjnej - Poland
  157. Fundacja Autonomia - Poland
  158. Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor - Poland
  159. Małopolskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe z Nowego Sącza - Poland
  160. Fundacja Ari Ari - Poland
  161. Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych - Poland
  162. Instytut Prawa i Społeczeństwa - Poland
  163. Fundacja Partners Polska - Poland
  164. Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka - Poland
  165. Grupy Zagranica - Poland
  166. The Unit for Social Innovation & Research Shipyard - Poland
  167. INPRIS - Institute for Law and Society - Poland
  168. National Federation of Polish NGOs - Poland
  169. Centre for International Relations (CIR) - Poland
  170. Citizens Network Watchdog Poland - Poland
  171. Institute of Public Affairs - Poland
  172. Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia Open Republic - Poland
  173. Stefan Batory Foundation Poland
  174. Danuta Przywara, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Poland
  175. Inițiativa România - Romania
  176. NGOs Federation for Children Romania - Romania
  177. RISE Romania - Romania
  178. Resource Center for Public Participation - CeRe (Romania) - Romania
  179. FONSS (The Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations for Social Services) - Romania
  180. Gabriela Tudor Foundation - Romania
  181. Mediawise Society Association - Romania
  182. The Civil Society Development Foundation - Romania
  183. Expert Forum - Romania
  184. Center for Independent Journalism - Romania
  185. Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil - Romania
  186. Asociatia One World Romania - Romania
  187. Asociatia Militia Spirituala - Romania
  188. ActiveWatch - Romania
  189. CENTRAS - Romania
  190. Asociatia Pro Democratia - Romania
  191. Agenția Impreuna - Romania
  192. Fundatia Estuar - Romania
  193. Dizabnet - Federatia prestatorilor pentru persoane cu dizabilitati - Romania
  194. The Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief - Romania
  195. Alaturi de Voi Romania - Romania
  196. Moscow Helsinki Group - Russia
  197. Igor Vladimirovich Batov, Chairman of the Council of the Pskov Regional Environmental Rights Human Rights Movement ʺFree Coastʺ, a member of the Public Chamber of the Pskov region - Russia
  198. Andrei Suslov, Center for Citizanship Education and Human Rights, Perm - Russia
  199. Evdokimova Natalia Leonidovna, Human Rights Council of St. Petersburg. - Russia
  200. Lilia Shibanova, member of the Moscow Helsinki Group Russia
  201. Bureau for Regional Outreach Campaigns - BROC Vladivostok, Russia
  202. Pride Kosice - Slovakia
  203. Central European Forum - Slovakia
  204. Human Rights League - Slovakia
  205. Slovak Humanitarian Council - Slovakia
  206. People in Need Slovakia - Slovakia
  207. Via Iuris - Slovakia
  208. Inakosť - Slovakia
  209. Transfuzia - Slovakia
  210. Bi-centrum - Slovakia
  211. EduRoma - Slovakia
  212. Centrum komunitneho organizovania - Centre for Community Organizing - Slovakia
  213. SLOGA, platforma nevladnih organizacij za razvoj, globalno učenje in humanitarno pomoč - Slovenia
  214. Društvo Humanitas
  215. Društvo Odnos - Slovenia
  216. Mirovni inštitut - Slovenia
  217. Kulturno-umetniško društvo Mreža - Slovenia
  218. Društvo za uveljavljanje enakosti in pluralnosti Vita Activa - Slovenia
  219. Društvo informacijski center Legebitra - Slovenia
  220. TransAkcija - Slovenia
  221. Society for awareness raising and protection - center of antidiscrimination (OVCA) - Slovenia
  222. Društvo za nenasilno komunikacijo - Association for nonviolent communications - Slovenia
  223. Focus, društvo za sonaraven razvoj - Focus, association for sustainable development - Slovenia
  224. Rights International Spain - Spain
  225. Asociación Katío - Spain
  226. Ecologistas en Acción - Spain
  227. AIETI - Asociacion de Investigacion y Especializacion Sobre Temas Iberoamericanos
  228. APDHE - Spain
  229. ICID - Spain
  230. Comité Monseñor Óscar Romero de Madrid - Spain
  231. Mujeres de Negro contra la Guerra - Madrid - Spain
  232. Acción Verapaz - Spain
  233. Colectivo Ansur - Spain
  234. Calala Fondo de Mujeres - Spain
  235. Global Witness - Spain
  236. Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) - Switzerland
  237. ACAT-Schweiz Suisse Svizzera - Switzerland
  238. Pylyp Orlyk Institute of Democracy - Ukraine
  239. La Strada - Ukraine
  240. Kharkiv Human Rights Group - Ukraine
  241. Suspilni Ekolohichni Initsiatyvy - Ukraine
  242. Kharkiv Regional Foundation "Public Alternative" - Ukraine
  243. Human Rights Information Centre - Ukraine
  244. Kyiv Educational Centre "Prostir Tolerantnosti" - Ukraine
  245. Human Rights Centre "All Rights" - Ukraine
  246. Ternopil Human Rights Group - Ukraine
  247. Vostok SOS - Ukraine
  248. EHA "Green World" - Ukraine
  249. Adaptatsiynyi Cholovichyi Tsentr - Ukraine
  250. Helsinski Initiative - XXI - Ukraine
  251. Center for Civil Liberties - Ukraine
  252. Ekolohichna Hrupa Pechenihy - Ukraine
  253. Romano radio Chiriklo - Ukraine
  254. Civil Initiative Center - Ukraine
  255. Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York - United Kingdom
  256. The Oakland Institute, United States of America
  257. CIVILIS Derechos Humanos - Venezuela
  258. Acción Solidaria on HIV/aids - Venezuela
  259. Asociación Civil Fuerza, Unión, Justicia, Solidaridad y Paz - Venezuela
  260. Programa de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos - Venezuela
  261. Centro Comunitario de Aprendizaje - Venezuela
  262. Comité de Familiares de Víctimas de los Sucesos de Febrero y Marzo de 1989 - Venezuela
  263. Centro de Justicia y Paz - Venezuela
  264. Human Rights Association (IHD) - Turkey
  265. The Solicitors’ International Human Rights Group (SIHRG) - UK
Read more