28th September is the ‘Right to Know Day’ in 90 countries around the world. The idea was born on 28 September, 2002, on an international meeting of Freedom of Information organizations in Sofia, Bulgaria. On that day, Freedom of Information Advocates (FOIA) Network was also founded with the aim of promoting the individual right of access to information and open, transparent governance.

HCLU and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee have jointly written an open letter to the Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement, President of The Supreme Court and to the State Attorney regarding police abuses during the recent riots and demonstrations in Budapest.

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.

The European Committee launched the European Transparency Initiative in November, 2005. Among other organizations, HCLU also expressed its opinion and shared its comments on the green paper being released on this issue.

HCLU filed a case on 4 September against the Ministry of Finance for not releasing information on a billion HUF deficit in the budget of 2006.

A new body established 9th of May 2006 will replace the UN Commission on Human Rights. The HCLU has inquired at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the ballots cast by Hungary and the criteria taken into account at the election. As it is known the Council also consist of countries which are responsible for grave human rights violations such as Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia.

As from 29th August, 2006 only biometric passports accompanied with electronic chips will be issued in Hungary as well. For the time being, only a biometric photo will be stored in the passport.

HCLU and 27 civil organizations from other countries favoured the initiative.

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.

The petition made by Baltay Levente, advocat of HCLU's Legal Advocacy Service, against the Forensic Institute (IMEI) was found reasonable 1/3-2/3 by the Metropolitan Court, on the first instance.

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.

Civil society groups from around the world denounced the final UN Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, released after marathon negotiations during the UN High Level meeting on AIDS this week.