The letter on the draft law validating a state of emergency of indefinite duration in Hungary in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, sent on 24 March by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, was clear but courteous (see EUROPE 12453/27). The reply of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, dated Wednesday 25 March, is brief and scathing.
Referring to Ms Pejčinović Burić's warnings, Mr. Orbán asked the speaker to "study the exact text of the bill" and to "examine similar legal practices" in other Member States. He concluded: "If you are not in a position to help us in the current crisis, please at least refrain from obstructing our defensive efforts”.
On Monday, the Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, insisted on parliamentary and judicial control of the state of emergency and freedom of the press (see EUROPE 12452/27). Ms Pejčinović Burić warned the Hungarian government against "a state of emergency of indefinite duration and without control" which does not guarantee respect for fundamental democratic principles. She called for emergency measures to be "strictly proportionate to the threat they are supposed to counter". (Original version in French by Véronique Leblanc)