Freedom of Expression

Assessing the First Wave of Legislation by Hungary's New Parliament

Three NGOs, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the Eötvös Károly Institute and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee have reviewed and commented on the way the Fidesz-KDNP Government has performed its legislative work so far, and consequently submit their criticism below.

Civil Organizations Address State Dignitaries on the Crisis in Tibet

Last week’s events have shaken the common opinion of the public’s conscience. The Tibet Support Association, Protect the Future, the Hungarian Young Greens and the HCLU believes in Hungary having the responsibility of standing up in this matter. Read our letter!

Executive Board of the Labour Party Acquitted

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’.

Capital Court of Appeals Verdict: the protection of public authority institution’s reputation cannot restrict the freedom of pol

Today, the Capital Court of Appeals has reached its verdict in the 2nd degree proceedings of the Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement vs. Viktor Orbán. Read on for the details!

Freedom of Speech vs. Metropolitan Court: 0-1

Yesterday, the Court of Székesfehérvár has returned its first instance decision in the lawsuit against members of the board of the Labour Party. Freedom of Speech lost….Read on for the deatails!

Letter to the Head of State Regarding the Act on Hate Speech

Today, the HCLU has turned to Dr. László Sólyom, Head of the Republic of Hungary to request that he practice his constitutional right and send the amendment of the Civil Code, the newly passed Act on Hate Speech to the Constitutional Court for an opinion before signing it.

Press Release: Meeting of High Commissioner of Police and President of HCLU

On August 7th, 2007 Dr. Bencze József, Liutenant General High Comissioner of Hungarian National Police invited Balázs Dénes, President of the HCLU and his colleagues to a meeting at the National Police Headquarters. For results of this meeting, please read the below press release.

Court dismissed the complaint of the 7. District’s Local Government, Budapest

On 30 Nov, 2006 the court’s judgment was made in favor of HCLU, representing Peter Marinov, former leader of ÓVÁS! Association against the 7. District.

Freedom of speech triumphs over Auchan Hungary Ltd.

The Budapest Court of Appeal has reversed the verdict of first instance on 14 Sept, 2006, in the case of Auchan Hungary Limited versus The Clean Air Action Group. According to the decision, András Lukács, President of The Clean Air Action Group was not guilty of defamation as originally charged. András Lukács was represented by Environmental Management and Law Association (EMLA) and HCLU.

Sándor Fábry vs. Péter György: freedom of expression won!

The case of the showman versus the aesthete has come to an end. HCLU has represented the Péter György, the aesthete and the right to expression.

They threaten and that‘s all

The police dissolved the prosecution related to the Internet Jewish DataBase service ran by Matula Magazin. The investigation of the Jewish database based on pure guessing started three months ago against one of the editors of the journal, accusing him with misuse of specific personal information.

Freedom of opinion vs. freedom of assembly

Disappointing news for those who believe in the freedom of expressing opinion: On February 15, 2006 the Court of Pest County (Pest Megyei Bíróság) delivered its final judgment about the two activists of MIEP- Jobbik for holding an unannounced press conference in front of the Ministry of the Interior last summer.