Ongoing Nationwide Demonstrations Against Legislation Targeting Civil Society in Hungary
Thousands rally across various cities against proposed laws threatening independent journalism and civil organizations.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Miskolc on Friday to advocate for free press and independent civil society, while similar demonstrations took place in Nyíregyháza against the proposed transparency law.
The nationwide protest series, organized by civil organization aHang, is ongoing and aims to oppose government measures perceived as efforts to silence dissent and independent media.
Over the weekend, ten additional protests are scheduled across 17 cities in Hungary, following the initial events in Miskolc and Nyíregyháza.
In Nyíregyháza, participants congregated in Nagy Imre Square, where speeches were delivered by local activists, including Zsolt Jakab, the regional coordinator for aHang.
Symbolic gestures included participants covering their mouths to represent silencing, followed by a recital of Jenő Heltai's poem titled "Freedom".
In Miskolc, protesters assembled outside the Centrum, with many also covering their mouths in a silent march to Erzsébet Square, where they held speeches from various local leaders advocating for civil rights and free expression.
Among the speakers was Gábor Gyenes, leader of aPont in Miskolc, who emphasized the need to voice concerns about government overreach.
The protests are in response to legislation introduced by Fidesz MP János Halász, known as the “elimination legislation,” which would significantly restrict the ability of organizations receiving foreign funding to operate in Hungary.
The proposed law could lead to the establishment of a registry for organizations deemed as threats to national sovereignty, whereby they would need to prove that their funding does not originate from abroad to continue their activities.
This includes mandatory declarations from all supporters and stakeholders in regards to foreign funding.
Notably, organizations included on this registry would be barred from collecting a tax benefit of 1% and would face hefty fines for any violations—reportedly up to 25 times the amount of any foreign funding contested.
Furthermore, leading officials of these organizations would be classified as prominent public figures, subjecting them to additional scrutiny.
The ongoing nationwide demonstrations are intended to highlight these issues and push back against what protest organizers describe as governmental efforts to undermine civil liberties.
Following events on the weekend, aHang plans further protests in various cities, including Budapest, over the coming days.
The proposed legislation and the subsequent public outcry also come amidst larger debates regarding transparency and accountability in government practices, with various officials from the ruling party weighing in on the matter.
Kocsis Máté, a senior ruling party figure, noted that the absence of signatures from certain party members on the proposals was due to technical reasons rather than discontent with the measures.
As protests continue, civil society organizations and activists are emphasizing their commitment to advocating for democratic principles and the rights of individuals in Hungary, pushing against restrictive measures that they believe threaten the foundations of a free and open society.
The nationwide protest series, organized by civil organization aHang, is ongoing and aims to oppose government measures perceived as efforts to silence dissent and independent media.
Over the weekend, ten additional protests are scheduled across 17 cities in Hungary, following the initial events in Miskolc and Nyíregyháza.
In Nyíregyháza, participants congregated in Nagy Imre Square, where speeches were delivered by local activists, including Zsolt Jakab, the regional coordinator for aHang.
Symbolic gestures included participants covering their mouths to represent silencing, followed by a recital of Jenő Heltai's poem titled "Freedom".
In Miskolc, protesters assembled outside the Centrum, with many also covering their mouths in a silent march to Erzsébet Square, where they held speeches from various local leaders advocating for civil rights and free expression.
Among the speakers was Gábor Gyenes, leader of aPont in Miskolc, who emphasized the need to voice concerns about government overreach.
The protests are in response to legislation introduced by Fidesz MP János Halász, known as the “elimination legislation,” which would significantly restrict the ability of organizations receiving foreign funding to operate in Hungary.
The proposed law could lead to the establishment of a registry for organizations deemed as threats to national sovereignty, whereby they would need to prove that their funding does not originate from abroad to continue their activities.
This includes mandatory declarations from all supporters and stakeholders in regards to foreign funding.
Notably, organizations included on this registry would be barred from collecting a tax benefit of 1% and would face hefty fines for any violations—reportedly up to 25 times the amount of any foreign funding contested.
Furthermore, leading officials of these organizations would be classified as prominent public figures, subjecting them to additional scrutiny.
The ongoing nationwide demonstrations are intended to highlight these issues and push back against what protest organizers describe as governmental efforts to undermine civil liberties.
Following events on the weekend, aHang plans further protests in various cities, including Budapest, over the coming days.
The proposed legislation and the subsequent public outcry also come amidst larger debates regarding transparency and accountability in government practices, with various officials from the ruling party weighing in on the matter.
Kocsis Máté, a senior ruling party figure, noted that the absence of signatures from certain party members on the proposals was due to technical reasons rather than discontent with the measures.
As protests continue, civil society organizations and activists are emphasizing their commitment to advocating for democratic principles and the rights of individuals in Hungary, pushing against restrictive measures that they believe threaten the foundations of a free and open society.
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