Hungary’s new law on the “protection of national sovereignty” is criticized by the Council of Europe.
According to a group of constitutional scholars of Council of Europeher new law Hungary for the “protection of national sovereignty” could have “catalytic effects” on free and democratic dialogue in the country.
Hungary’s parliament passed a draft law in December which, according to the ruling right-wing Fidesz party, would prevent undue interference in the country’s political life by persons or groups from third countries. Based on this new draft law, an authority, the Agency for the Protection of National Sovereignty, was established to expand and monitor the dangers of political interference. The law punishes prohibited foreign funding of parties or groups running for elections with up to three years in prison.
The Council of Europe’s group of constitutional experts, also known as the Venice Commission, announced that the Agency for the Protection of National Sovereignty cannot be considered independent and this can lead to arbitrary and politically motivated applications of the law.
“There is therefore a high risk that the establishment and actions of the Agency will have a catalytic effect on free and democratic dialogue in Hungary,” the Commission said in a statement.
It could “intrude on the privacy of any legal or natural entity and name and denounce that entity without being subject to any control and without any inspection mechanism,” the group of constitutional scholars noted.
According to newsbeast, the bill passed the Hungarian parliament last December when the nationalist prime minister Viktor Orbanwho has repeatedly clashed with the EU over the human rights situation in Hungary, is ramping up his election campaign ahead of June’s European elections.
Last month, the European Commission announced that Hungary’s new legislation violates EU laws on democracy and equal rights for EU citizens, and that it would launch an infringement procedure. US officials have also criticized the legislation.
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