IN SOLIDARITY WITH CIVIL SOCIETY IN HUNGARY

In International Advocacy Program by CIHRS

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

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