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.
The HCLU has written a letter to Tibor Draskovics, Hungarian Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement, to question why private security services were allowed to check identities and search the clothing of citizens during the March 15th National State Ceremonies.
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!
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’.
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!
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!
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.
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.
On the initiation of the Háttér Support Society for LGBGS (Hungarian gay and lesbian rights organization), a number of civil organizations have signed a declaration about the events that took place on July 7th, 2007 during the Budapest Gay Pride Parade. Read the declaration!
On July 13th, 2007 the Metropolitan Court returned its verdict in the Amnesty International (AI) vs. National Police Headquarters (NPH) lawsuit. The HCLU has taken on the legal representation of AI during the proceedings.
"Upon the request of the Budapest Investigation Authority - following the HCLU's press conference yesterday - the head of the National Police Headquarters (NPH) initiated an investigation by the NPH's Traffic Control Department in order to determine whether the use of the controversial firearms and rubber bullets was legal. According to available information and with reference to norms, use of these tools was legal" - notifies the police on their webpage (www.police.hu).
The HCLU will hold a press conference on findings of police practices during September and October 23rd, 2006