'Semi-Consolidated Democracy': Freedom House Downgrades Hungary

In response to our call, the National Election Office (NVI) has initiated an important amendment to the electoral procedure, thereby restricting opportunities for electoral fraud. The government amended the relevant decree. HCLU welcomes the modification, as it results in the increased transparency of the elections and an increased level of protection for the right to vote. However, we hold that further modifications are necessary to prevent fraud.

Upon the initiation of the President of Capitol Court, criminal proceedings were started against the Executive Board of the Labour Party for defamation. According to the accusation and later the arraignment, 7 members of the Board have committed the act of defamation. The Party – in a statement - deemed a verdict of the Capitol Court a ’political decision’ and ’revenge of power’.

On May 13th, 2007 five demonstrations, national legalization rallies organized by the Hemp Seed Association were held in Hungary as part of the International Million Marijuana March event-series.