On Wednesday 16 April, a delegation of MEPs from the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, led by Dutch MEP Tineke Strik (Greens/EFA), reported a continuing deterioration in the Rule of law in Hungary following a new two-day mission to the country.
In particular, it will be used as input for a new report on the protection of ‘fundamental values’ in Hungary, despite the fact that the European Parliament triggered the so-called ‘Article 7’ procedure against the country in 2018.
While recent news has focused on the Hungarian government’s ban on ‘Pride’ events or the ‘Budapest Pride’ march planned for the end of June, MEPs from five political groups reported on even broader concerns, ranging from the independence of the judiciary to media pluralism.
The MEPs also pointed out that, in addition to the LGBTIQ community, judges, teachers and doctors have also been attacked for taking part in protests.
In addition, Ms Strik, who cited the law on sovereignty and the fight against foreign interference, which serves above all to target “NGOs and journalists”, deplored as well Budapest’s failure to comply with “a majority” of the rulings handed down against the country by the EU Court of Justice.
“What we are witnessing in Hungary is not the Rule of law, but rather a Rule of law in which the majority in power has consolidated its hold on power, silencing the voices of minorities and stifling diversity of opinion, as demonstrated once again by the restriction on freedom of assembly”, commented Sophie Wilmès (Renew Europe, Belgian).
Tineke Strik, rapporteur on the procedure launched in 2018, regretted in any case that the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs had refused to meet the delegation, which was able to meet over two days with government representatives, members of the Hungarian National Assembly, representatives of the judiciary, independent and local authorities, trade unions, the professions and civil society players in all the areas concerned.
The delegation, which also included Pernando Barrena (The Left, Spanish), Christopher Smizek (S&D, Polish) and Mikhail Vavrikievich (EPP, Polish), will report back to the EU Council ahead of a hearing on Hungary scheduled for 27 May at the ‘General Affairs’ Council. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)