A delegation of European parliament lawmakers has warned that the situation in Hungary is “rapidly going in the wrong direction” due to the continuing deterioration of the rule of law under Viktor Orbán’s government.
Speaking at a press conference in Budapest after a two-day visit to Hungary, the Dutch lawmaker heading the delegation, Tineke Strik, raised concerns about “a number of worrying developments” concerning the country’s compliance with EU values when it comes to the judiciary, civil society, and equality.
In particular, she called out the Hungarian authorities for their recent reforms targeting the LGBTIQ community, and broader issues, such as its view of EU funding as an example of foreign interference which she said was “used to crack down on civil society.”
Former Belgian prime minister Sophie Wilmès spoke about growing worries about media pluralism, with “80% of all market revenues channelled to pro-government media,” with independent journalists denied access to information or access to politicians.
Polish centre-right lawmaker Michał Wawrykiewicz said the delegation saw “indisputable deterioration of the situation and, I would even say, an open denial of the rule of law.”
He also criticised Hungarian officials’ “very aggressive” and “rude” approach, with many government institutions declining the delegation’s request for a meeting.
Krzysztof Śmiszek from the Polish New Left, and previously a lawyer heavily involved in equality policies in Poland, warned that the LGBTIQ community “is already facing direct legal restrictions,” and further measures aimed at tightening them only “create a very hostile atmosphere” leading to the rise in “physical, violent and other type of hate crimes” against minorities.
Basque politician Pernando Barrena spoke about “a further escalation in attacks against the fundamental rights of the people,” with “repressive” measures used against civil groups, such as Budapest Pride.
“The impunity of the Hungarian government in circumventing European Union law, especially the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, needs to be stopped,” he said.
Strik said the delegation would ask the European Commission to step up its actions against the Hungarian government.
The visit of the delegation from the European parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, or LIBE, came just after Hungarian lawmakers voted through a controversial constitutional amendment that campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to crack down on dissent and chip away at human rights.
The amendment codifies the government’s recent ban on Pride events, paving the way for authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attenders and potentially fine them.
The amendment, which the government says prioritises the protection of children’s physical, mental and moral development, also enshrines the recognition of only two sexes, providing a constitutional basis for denying the gender identities of some in Hungary.
Photo: The Dutch lawmaker, Tineke Strik, who headed the LIBE delegation Rule of Law mission in Budapest, Hungary