On Saturday afternoon, demonstrators gathered in front of the Ministry of Justice in Budapest to advocate for the independence of the judiciary in Hungary.

The rally was organized by the Hungarian Judges' Association (MABIE), whose president, Katalin Boros, emphasized the need for demonstrators to voice their beliefs in the face of perceived threats to judges' rights.

She stated, 'If we cannot express what we believe in, then we have no right to believe in it.' The gathering highlighted concerns that, without judicial independence, the rights of every citizen could be at risk.

Former judicial council president Ferenc Köszler addressed the crowd, noting that with approximately 2,700 judges in Hungary, only a fraction attended the protest, which he deemed disappointing.

'Those judges who are afraid are no longer judges,' he remarked, warning against the dangers of authoritarianism when legislative and executive powers undermine judiciary autonomy.

The peaceful protest also saw the participation of past and current judges, along with representatives from international judicial organizations.

András Baka, former president of the Supreme Court, responded to calls from the political commentator Zsolt Bayer to compile a list of participating judges.

He stressed that judges should not engage in political activities but are entitled to express their views on judicial issues.

'Who should raise their voices against the dismantling of the rule of law if not the judges?' he argued, likening the current judicial climate to that of the 1970s, when courts lacked genuine independence.

Tamás Matusik, a leading judge from the Budai Central District Court, remarked that a judge's independence hinges on their willingness and ability to stand by it.

He emphasized that the need for an independent judiciary is greater than ever, asserting that 'All judges must ask themselves if they have done enough to preserve judicial independence and the rule of law.'

European Judicial Association (EAJ) President Mikael Sjoeberg expressed solidarity with Hungarian judges, acknowledging the rarity of judges participating in demonstrations and highlighting the importance of their independence.

He condemned structural reforms that undermine this independence and supported the judges' calls for recognition and respect.

Duro Sessa, president of the International Association of Judges, described the current situation as unique, noting that judges are protesting not for their own benefit, but in the interest of citizens.

He stated that decisions impacting the judiciary should involve consultations with judicial representatives.

In addition to the central protest in Budapest, smaller demonstrations occurred in cities such as Szeged, where activists placed flowers outside the Szeged Court to show support for the judiciary.

This event follows a previous protest in December that was triggered by a controversial agreement between the government and the National Judicial Council regarding judicial salary increases in exchange for substantial reforms in the judiciary.

The controversial agreement had drawn widespread criticism, prompting thousands of judges and legal workers to express their outrage.

Critics argued that the agreement compromised the independence and integrity of the judiciary by linking salary increases to governmental reforms that lacked transparency and were subject to the government’s discretion.

Currently, the Hungarian government seeks to elevate the minimum age for judicial appointments, moving it to 35. However, legal maneuvering has allowed proposed legislation to progress without proper consultation with the National Judicial Council, creating further friction.

The European Union has also taken an interest, particularly considering the context of frozen EU funds tied to judicial reforms and the requirement for the government to strengthen the council’s powers.

This is the first instance in Hungary's history that judges have openly protested in such a manner.

Organizers took care to ensure the event remained apolitical, requesting that participants refrain from expressing party affiliations or political messages.

Notably, on-site assessments suggested attendance numbers reached into the thousands, emphasizing the gravity of the concerns surrounding judicial independence.

The rally originated from Kossuth Square and made its way to the Ministry of Justice, reflecting broader anxieties over judicial autonomy amid increasing governmental influence.

Critics of the government’s approach have indicated that its handling of judicial matters will be scrutinized by international bodies, including the European Commission, particularly concerning independence and rule of law concerns.