--- title: "IN SOLIDARITY WITH CIVIL SOCIETY IN HUNGARY" slug: "solidarity-civil-society-hungary" post_type: "post" published_at: "2018-02-20T20:39:03+01:00" modified_at: "2022-10-04T15:05:25+01:00" author: "CIHRS" url: "https://cihrs.org/solidarity-civil-society-hungary/?lang=en" category: - "International Advocacy Program" country: - "Other" --- # IN SOLIDARITY WITH CIVIL SOCIETY IN HUNGARY 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 organisations that “support migration” to obtain national security clearance and a government permit to perform basic functions. The proposed law would also require organisations 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 criminalisation 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 organisations declare their support and solidarity with non-governmental organisations and human rights defenders in Hungary:** 1. ILGA – Europe 2. Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties) 3. Human Rights Watch 4. AEDH – Association Européenne de Droits de l’Homme 5. FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders 6. World Organisation against Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders 7. Light for the World 8. Funders’ Initiative for Civil Society 9. Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights 10. CONCORD – European Confederation of Relief and development NGOs 11. Human Rights First 12. Transgender Europe 13. Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe 14. International Civil Society Centre 15. Reporters sans Frontières 16. ENAR – European Network Against Racism 17. European Volunteer Centre 18. Civil Society Europe 19. EuroMed Rights 20. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) 21. Protection International – Belgium 22. çavaria vzw – Belgium 23. 11.11. – Belgium 24. Artsen zonder Vakantie – Belgium 25. Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen – Belgium 26. Liga voor mensenrechten – Belgium 27. WWF Belgium – Belgium 28. ACAT – Belgique/ Belgie/ Belgium 29. Volonteurope – Belgium – Belgium 30. CROSOL – Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity – Croatia 31. Centre for Peace Studies from Zagreb – Croatia 32. GONG – Croatia 33. Brod Ecological Society-BED – Croatia 34. Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past – Croatia 35. CESI-Center for Education, Counselling and Research – Croatia 36. Human Rights House Zagreb – Croatia 37. Rehabilitation center for stress and trauma – Croatia 38. o Adra Česká republika – Czech Republic 39. Open Society Fund/ Nadace OSF Praha – Czech Republic 40. o Transparency International ČR– Czech Republic 41. o Člověk v tísni – People in Need – Czech Republic 42. Forum 2000 – The Forum 2000 Foundation – Czech Republic 43. META – Společnost pro příležitosti mladých migrantů – Association for opportunities of young migrants – Czech Republic 44. Most pro o.p.s. – poradna pro cizince – Czech Republic 45. SIMI – Sdružení pro integraci a migraci – Association for integration and migration- Czech Republic 46. Glopolis – Glopolis – Czech Republic 47. Centrum pro integraci cizinců – Centre for Integration of Foreigners – Czech Republic 48. Diakonie (Českobratrské církve evangelické) – Diaconia (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) – Czech Republic 49. Most – Czech Republic 50. Konsorcium nevládních organizací pracujících s migranty – Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations – Czech Republic 51. DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights – Asociace pro podporu demokracie a lidských práv – Czech Republic 52. Pavel Havlicek, Analyst at the Research Centre, Association for International Affairs Prague – Czech Republic 53. Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům – Organization for aid to refugees 54. Denmark Nyt Europa – Denmark 55. Kehitysmaayhdistys Pääskyt ry – Finland 56. Suomen Pakolaisapu | Finnish Refugee Council – Finland 57. ETMU ry (Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration) – Finland 58. Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö – Allianssi ry – Finland 59. Suomen Setlementtiliitto – Finland 60. Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto – Finland 61. Suomen Mielenterveysseura ry – Finland 62. Ihmisoikeusliitto ry – Finnish League for Human Rights – Finland 63. Kehitysyhteistyöjärjestöjen EU-yhdistys Kehys ry – The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU Kehys – Finland 64. Vammaisten perus- ja ihmisoikeusjärjestö Kynnys ry – Finland 65. Suomen somalialaisten liitto – Finland 66. Seta LGBTIQ Rights in Finland – Finland 67. Trasek ry – Finland 68. LSVD – Germany 69. HES – Germany 70. ADRA Deutschland e.V – Germany 71. BAfF e.V.-Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer – Germany 72. Forum Menschenrechte – Germany 73. VENRO – Verband Entwicklungspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen e.V. – Germany 74. Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI) – Germany 75. Adivasi-Koordination in Deutschland e.V. – Germany 76. ACAT-Deutschland e.V. – Germany 77. Missionsärztliches Institut Würzburg – Germany 78. Deutsches Medikamenten-Hilfswerk action medeor e.V. – Germany 79. Deutsche Kommission Justitia et Pax – Germany 80. Germanwatch e.V. – Germany 81. Welthaus Bielefeld e.V. – Germany 82. Civil Liberties Union for Europe e.V.” – Germany 83. CILD – Italian Civil Liberties Advocacy Coalition – Italy 84. Dr Andrea Gullotta, Memorial Italia – Italy 85. Antigone – Italy 86. Front Line Defenders – Ireland 87. Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation – Ireland 88. Christian Aid Ireland – Ireland 89. Transgender Equality Network Ireland – Ireland 90. Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation – Latvia 91. Latvia’s Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health – Latvia 92. ASTI (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés) – Luxembourg 93. Passerell – Luxembourg 94. ACAT Luxemburg – Luxembourg 95. Reech eng Hand – Luxembourg 96. Caritas Luxembourg – Luxembourg 97. Aidsfonds – Netherlands 98. Amsterdamse Diakonie – Netherlands 99. Article 19 – Netherlands 100. ASKV – Steunpunt Vluchtelingen – Netherlands 101. Blikopeners – Netherlands 102. Civicus – Netherlands 103. Clara Wichmannfonds – Netherlands 104. Dance4Life – Netherlands 105. Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists (NJCM) – Netherlands 106. Free Press Unlimited – Netherlands 107. Humanistisch Verbond – Netherlands 108. Humanity House – Netherlands 109. IMMO – instituut voor Mensenrechten en Medisch Onderzoek – Netherlands 110. INLIA – International Network of Local Initiatives with Asylumseekers – Netherlands 111. Justice and Peace Project – Netherlands 112. KOMPASS – Netherlands 113. La Strada – Netherlands 114. Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights – Netherlands 115. Milieudefensie – Netherlands 116. Movies that Matter – Netherlands 117. Netherlands Helsinki Committee – Netherlands 118. o Foundation Max van der Stoel – Netherlands 119. NVJ – Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten – Netherlands 120. Oxfam – Netherlands 121. Partizan Publik – Netherlands 122. Pax – Netherlands 123. Power of Art House – Netherlands 124. Privacy First – Netherlands 125. Prospector – Netherlands 126. Stichting LOS – Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt – Netherlands 127. Stichting Vluchteling – Netherlands 128. Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten – UAF – Netherlands 129. The Amsterdam Gay Pride – Netherlands 130. The Hague Peace Projects – Netherlands 131. Transnational Institute (TNI) – Netherlands 132. VLot – fonds voor vluchtelingen – Netherlands 133. VluchtelingenWerk NL – Netherlands 134. Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego – Poland 135. Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska – Poland 136. Projekt: Polska – Poland 137. Stowarzyszenie przeciw Antysemityzmowi i Ksenofobii Otwarta Rzeczpospolita – Poland 138. Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej – Poland 139. Instytut Spraw Publicznych – Poland 140. Fundacja ePaństwo – Poland 141. Panoptykon – Poland 142. Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Antydyskryminacyjnego – Poland 143. Fundacja Pole Dialogu – Poland 144. Polski Instytut Praw Człowieka I Biznesu – Poland 145. Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza – Poland 146. Pracownia Badań i Innowacji Społecznych “Stocznia – Poland 147. Towarzystwo Edukacji Antydyskryminacyjnej – Poland 148. Fundacja Autonomia – Poland 149. Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor – Poland 150. Małopolskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe z Nowego Sącza – Poland 151. Fundacja Ari Ari – Poland 152. Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych – Poland 153. Instytut Prawa i Społeczeństwa – Poland 154. Fundacja Partners Polska – Poland 155. Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka – Poland 156. Grupy Zagranica – Poland 157. The Unit for Social Innovation & Research Shipyard – Poland 158. INPRIS – Institute for Law and Society – Poland 159. National Federation of Polish NGOs – Poland 160. Centre for International Relations (CIR) – Poland 161. Citizens Network Watchdog Poland – Poland 162. Institute of Public Affairs – Poland 163. Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia Open Republic – Poland 164. Stefan Batory Foundation – Poland 165. ​Danuta Przywara, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights – Poland 166. Inițiativa România – Romania 167. NGOs Federation for Children Romania – Romania 168. RISE Romania – Romania 169. Resource Center for Public Participation – CeRe (Romania) – Romania 170. FONSS (The Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations for Social Services) – Romania 171. Gabriela Tudor Foundation – Romania 172. Mediawise Society Association – Romania 173. The Civil Society Development Foundation – Romania 174. Expert Forum – Romania 175. Center for Independent Journalism – Romania 176. Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil – Romania 177. Asociatia One World Romania – Romania 178. Asociatia Militia Spirituala – Romania 179. ActiveWatch – Romania 180. CENTRAS – Romania 181. Asociatia Pro Democratia – Romania 182. Agenția Impreuna – Romania 183. Fundatia Estuar – Romania 184. Dizabnet – Federatia prestatorilor pentru persoane cu dizabilitati – Romania 185. The Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief – Romania 186. Alaturi de Voi Romania – Romania 187. Moscow Helsinki Group – Russia 188. 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 189. Andrei Suslov, Center for Citizanship Education and Human Rights, Perm – Russia 190. Evdokimova Natalia Leonidovna, Human Rights Council of St. Petersburg – Russia 191. Lilia Shibanova, member of the Moscow Helsinki Group- Russia 192. Bureau for Regional Outreach Campaigns – BROC Vladivostok, Russia 193. Pride Kosice – Slovakia 194. Central European Forum – Slovakia 195. Human Rights League – Slovakia 196. Slovak Humanitarian Council – Slovakia 197. People in Need Slovakia – Slovakia 198. Via Iuris – Slovakia 199. Inakosť – Slovakia 200. Transfuzia – Slovakia 201. Bi-centrum – Slovakia 202. EduRoma – Slovakia 203. Centrum komunitneho organizovania – Centre for Community Organizing – Slovakia 204. SLOGA, platforma nevladnih organizacij za razvoj, globalno učenje in humanitarno pomoč – Slovenia 205. Društvo Odnos – Slovenia 206. Mirovni inštitut – Slovenia 207. Kulturno-umetniško društvo Mreža – Slovenia 208. Društvo za uveljavljanje enakosti in pluralnosti Vita Activa – Slovenia 209. Društvo informacijski center Legebitra – Slovenia 210. TransAkcija – Slovenia 211. Society for awareness raising and protection – center of antidiscrimination (OVCA) – Slovenia 212. Društvo za nenasilno komunikacijo – Association for nonviolent communications – Slovenia 213. Focus, društvo za sonaraven razvoj – Focus, association for sustainable development – Slovenia 214. Rights International Spain – Spain 215. Asociación Katío – Spain 216. Ecologistas en Acción – Spain 217. AIETI – Asociacion de Investigacion y Especializacion Sobre Temas Iberoamericanos 218. APDHE – Spain 219. ICID – Spain 220. Comité Monseñor Óscar Romero de Madrid – Spain 221. Mujeres de Negro contra la Guerra – Madrid – Spain 222. Acción Verapaz – Spain 223. Colectivo Ansur – Spain 224. Calala Fondo de Mujeres – Spain 225. Global Witness – Spain 226. Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) – Switzerland 227. ACAT-Schweiz Suisse Svizzera – Switzerland 228. Syrian Organisation for Human Rights, Swasiah 229. Pylyp Orlyk Institute of Democracy – Ukraine 230. La Strada – Ukraine 231. Kharkiv Human Rights Group – Ukraine 232. Suspilni Ekolohichni Initsiatyvy – Ukraine 233. Kharkiv Regional Foundation “Public Alternative” – Ukraine 234. Human Rights Information Centre – Ukraine 235. Kyiv Educational Centre “Prostir Tolerantnosti” – Ukraine 236. Human Rights Centre “All Rights” – Ukraine 237. Ternopil Human Rights Group – Ukraine 238. Vostok SOS – Ukraine 239. EHA “Green World” – Ukraine 240. Adaptatsiynyi Cholovichyi Tsentr – Ukraine 241. Helsinski Initiative – XXI – Ukraine 242. Center for Civil Liberties – Ukraine 243. Ekolohichna Hrupa Pechenihy – Ukraine 244. Romano radio Chiriklo – Ukraine 245. Civil Initiative Center – Ukraine 246. Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York – United Kingdom 247. CIVILIS Derechos Humanos – Venezuela 248. Acción Solidaria on HIV/aids – Venezuela 249. Asociación Civil Fuerza, Unión, Justicia, Solidaridad y Paz – Venezuela 250. Programa de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos – Venezuela 251. Centro Comunitario de Aprendizaje – Venezuela 252. Comité de Familiares de Víctimas de los Sucesos de Febrero y Marzo de 1989 – Venezuela 253. Centro de Justicia y Paz – Venezuela