Hungarian Civil Liberties Union

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is a human rights NGO. Since our foundation in 1994, we have been working for everybody being informed about their fundamental human rights and empowered to enforce it against the undue interference by those in position of public power.

our focus areas & news

Without active citizens, there is no free Hungary

NGOs have always been at the forefront of freedom of action. Civic activists, who were organised into political parties and citizens who acted as citizens to protect their environment, were also the main force behind the regime change of 1989-90. Only grassroots organisation, involvement and activation can offer effective solutions to oppressive regimes.

Watchdogs Urge Commission And EU Anti-Fraud Office To Release Report On Hungarian Corruption Case

Civil rights organisations push the European Commission and the European Anti-Fraud Office to release a report about the wrongdoings of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban’s son-in-law. The watchdogs now urge the European Commission and Anti-Fraud Office to implement the ruling with no delay.

Pack in the Pocket What to expect if you get caught with a small amount of drugs?

(A kiadványunk magyarul elérhető ezen az oldalon: tasz.hu/pakkazsebben.)

Last updated: 2021. 10. 26.

In Hungary, the possession and consumption of illegal substances (in legal terms: “drugs”) is prohibited by law, therefore the act of committing an offense or merely suspicion entails criminal proceedings. However, the end result of this — that is, whether you get a penalty, and if so, what kind and how much — depends largely on what decisions you make during the process.

With our publication, we want to help you learn about the proceedings that can be initiated in the case of illegal possession and consumption of small amounts of drugs. Our goal is that if you find yourself in a similar situation, you can get the best possible outcome for you through making the right decisions.

Strategic lawsuit against illegal family separations

The Equality Project of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union works for the legal protection of the most vulnerable minority groups in Hungary, including the fight against the systemic discrimination of Roma people.

A step backwards in hate crime legal practice in Strasbourg

On September 2nd, 2021 the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights has rejected our plea representing Andrea Giuliano, a gay rights activist. The Strasbourg court has therefore missed an opportunity to improve its case law on hate crimes against vulnerable group members.

Read our Corruption Monitoring Reports in English

In September 2020, K-Monitor and the HCLU launched a joint corruption monitoring program with the goal to evaluate the status of state corruption and the efforts made towards the dismantling of the rule of law in a report published every three months.