Latest news with #SovereigntyProtectionOffice
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands protest in Hungary against Russia-style bill targeting media, NGOs
Around 10,000 people rallied in Hungary's capital on May 18 to protest a controversial bill that critics say would limit free expression and mimic Russia's restrictive "foreign agent" law, the Associated Press reported. The demonstration in Budapest, one of the largest in recent months, came after a member of Prime Minister Viktor Orban's ruling Fidesz party introduced legislation that would grant the government sweeping powers to investigate, penalize, or even ban media outlets and non-governmental organizations receiving any foreign funding. Protesters packed Kossuth Square outside Hungary's parliament, denouncing the bill as an attack on civil society and democratic freedoms. Speakers at the rally described the legislation as an authoritarian move designed to silence dissent ahead of national elections next year. "This bill is nothing more than a threat, a threat against people being able to express their opinions clearly and freely," said Jakab Toth, one of the speakers. "If it doesn't belong to all of us, if not all of us are free, then sovereignty is solely and exclusively the sovereignty of the government." The proposed law would create a government blacklist of organizations receiving international support and allow intrusive surveillance, large fines, and operational bans. It would be enforced by the Sovereignty Protection Office, a state body established in 2023 that critics say targets independent voices under the guise of national security. Orban and his allies have accused foreign actors, particularly the United States during previous administrations and Ukraine, of funding independent media and anti-corruption groups to undermine his government. Those organizations deny the claims, saying their work serves the public interest and adheres to professional standards. Hungary has faced increasing criticism from international watchdogs for eroding press freedom and democratic checks under Orban's 15-year rule. The new legislation, expected to pass in the Fidesz-dominated parliament, is seen by many as the most repressive yet. In May 2024, a similar foreign agents bill was passed in the Georgian Parliament. The law, backed by the ruling Georgian Dream party, mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on the Kremlin regime's critics and NGOs in Russia with foreign ties of any kind. Georgian Dream's repressions against independent media and decisions to distance the country from the EU have prompted mass protests spanning months and violent crackdowns by the police in the country. Read also: After spying scandal erupts, Orban accuses Ukraine of meddling, cooperating with Hungarian opposition We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hungarians rally in mass protest against bill allowing blacklisting of Orbán critics
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A mass protest in Hungary on Sunday drew around 10,000 people in what some demonstrators called an act of resistance against recent actions by the right-wing populist government to restrict basic rights and crack down on independent media. The protest, the latest in a recent wave of anti-government demonstrations, came days after a lawmaker from the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán submitted a bill that would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban media outlets and non-governmental organizations it deems a threat to the country's sovereignty. The bill, which has been compared to Russia's 'foreign agent' law, is expected to pass in the parliament where the ruling Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. It is seen by many of Orbán's opponents as among the most repressive policies the long-serving leader has leveled at his critics in the last 15 years of his rule. Protesters on Sunday filled the square beside Hungary's parliament in central Budapest to denounce the bill, which would allow the government to blacklist organizations that receive any amount of financial support from outside Hungary, and subject them to intrusive monitoring, searches, major fines and possible bans on their activities. Politicians in Orbán's party, as well as the Sovereignty Protection Office, a controversial government body tasked with identifying alleged threats to Hungary's sovereignty, have specifically identified numerous media outlets and anti-corruption organizations that they claim are serving foreign interests. From a stage at the protest on Sunday, speaker Jakab Tóth said the bill submitted this week "is nothing more than a threat, a threat against people being able to express their opinions clearly and freely.' Tóth added he believes the government has a responsibility to protect the sovereignty of citizens to exercise free speech and take part in public life. 'If it doesn't belong to all of us, if not all of us are free, then sovereignty is solely and exclusively the sovereignty of the government,' he said. Orbán, who polls show faces the most serious challenge yet to his power in elections scheduled for next year, has claimed that foreign interests, primarily originating in the United States and in neighboring Ukraine, have sought to instrumentalize independent media outlets and anti-corruption watchdogs in Hungary to influence public opinion with the aim of toppling his government. Those organizations have vehemently denied such claims, and argued that the work they perform is done to professional standards and in the public interest. Orbán has for years enacted crackdowns on NGOs and independent media, passing laws that critics say seek to stigmatize and obstruct groups that provide protection for women and minorities, offer legal and human rights assistance and expose official corruption. Those efforts ramped up in 2023 when Orbán's right-wing populist government launched the Sovereignty Protection Office, an authority tasked with investigating organizations and media outlets it deems to be exerting foreign influence. The bill introduced last week outlines a broad definition of what constitutes a threat to sovereignty. Organizations may be targeted if they oppose or portray in a negative light values such as Hungary's democratic character, national unity, traditional family structures, or Christian culture — suggesting that even legitimate criticism of government policy could be treated as a national security threat. Sunday's demonstration came after two-and-a-half months of weekly protests against an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in March that banned Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify individuals attending the festivities. Hungary's government has argued its policies on LGBTQ+ rights are necessary to protect children from it calls 'gender madness.' But many critics believe the measures were designed to stir up animosity against sexual minorities and help Orbán mobilize his right-wing base ahead of next year's elections.
The Hill
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Hungarians rally in mass protest against bill allowing blacklisting of Orbán critics
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A mass protest in Hungary on Sunday drew around 10,000 people in what some demonstrators called an act of resistance against recent actions by the right-wing populist government to restrict basic rights and crack down on independent media. The protest, the latest in a recent wave of anti-government demonstrations, came days after a lawmaker from the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán submitted a bill that would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban media outlets and non-governmental organizations it deems a threat to the country's sovereignty. The bill, which has been compared to Russia's 'foreign agent' law, is expected to pass in the parliament where the ruling Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. It is seen by many of Orbán's opponents as among the most repressive policies the long-serving leader has leveled at his critics in the last 15 years of his rule. Protesters on Sunday filled the square beside Hungary's parliament in central Budapest to denounce the bill, which would allow the government to blacklist organizations that receive any amount of financial support from outside Hungary, and subject them to intrusive monitoring, searches, major fines and possible bans on their activities. Politicians in Orbán's party, as well as the Sovereignty Protection Office, a controversial government body tasked with identifying alleged threats to Hungary's sovereignty, have specifically identified numerous media outlets and anti-corruption organizations that they claim are serving foreign interests. From a stage at the protest on Sunday, speaker Jakab Tóth said the bill submitted this week 'is nothing more than a threat, a threat against people being able to express their opinions clearly and freely.' Tóth added he believes the government has a responsibility to protect the sovereignty of citizens to exercise free speech and take part in public life. 'If it doesn't belong to all of us, if not all of us are free, then sovereignty is solely and exclusively the sovereignty of the government,' he said. Orbán, who polls show faces the most serious challenge yet to his power in elections scheduled for next year, has claimed that foreign interests, primarily originating in the United States and in neighboring Ukraine, have sought to instrumentalize independent media outlets and anti-corruption watchdogs in Hungary to influence public opinion with the aim of toppling his government. Those organizations have vehemently denied such claims, and argued that the work they perform is done to professional standards and in the public interest. Orbán has for years enacted crackdowns on NGOs and independent media, passing laws that critics say seek to stigmatize and obstruct groups that provide protection for women and minorities, offer legal and human rights assistance and expose official corruption. Those efforts ramped up in 2023 when Orbán's right-wing populist government launched the Sovereignty Protection Office, an authority tasked with investigating organizations and media outlets it deems to be exerting foreign influence. The bill introduced last week outlines a broad definition of what constitutes a threat to sovereignty. Organizations may be targeted if they oppose or portray in a negative light values such as Hungary's democratic character, national unity, traditional family structures, or Christian culture — suggesting that even legitimate criticism of government policy could be treated as a national security threat. Sunday's demonstration came after two-and-a-half months of weekly protests against an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in March that banned Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify individuals attending the festivities. Hungary's government has argued its policies on LGBTQ+ rights are necessary to protect children from it calls 'gender madness.' But many critics believe the measures were designed to stir up animosity against sexual minorities and help Orbán mobilize his right-wing base ahead of next year's elections.
San Francisco Chronicle
18-05-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hungarians rally in mass protest against bill allowing blacklisting of Orbán critics
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A mass protest in Hungary on Sunday drew around 10,000 people in what some demonstrators called an act of resistance against recent actions by the right-wing populist government to restrict basic rights and crack down on independent media. The protest, the latest in a recent wave of anti-government demonstrations, came days after a lawmaker from the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán submitted a bill that would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban media outlets and non-governmental organizations it deems a threat to the country's sovereignty. The bill, which has been compared to Russia's 'foreign agent' law, is expected to pass in the parliament where the ruling Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. It is seen by many of Orbán's opponents as among the most repressive policies the long-serving leader has leveled at his critics in the last 15 years of his rule. Protesters on Sunday filled the square beside Hungary's parliament in central Budapest to denounce the bill, which would allow the government to blacklist organizations that receive any amount of financial support from outside Hungary, and subject them to intrusive monitoring, searches, major fines and possible bans on their activities. Politicians in Orbán's party, as well as the Sovereignty Protection Office, a controversial government body tasked with identifying alleged threats to Hungary's sovereignty, have specifically identified numerous media outlets and anti-corruption organizations that they claim are serving foreign interests. From a stage at the protest on Sunday, speaker Jakab Tóth said the bill submitted this week "is nothing more than a threat, a threat against people being able to express their opinions clearly and freely.' Tóth added he believes the government has a responsibility to protect the sovereignty of citizens to exercise free speech and take part in public life. 'If it doesn't belong to all of us, if not all of us are free, then sovereignty is solely and exclusively the sovereignty of the government,' he said. Orbán, who polls show faces the most serious challenge yet to his power in elections scheduled for next year, has claimed that foreign interests, primarily originating in the United States and in neighboring Ukraine, have sought to instrumentalize independent media outlets and anti-corruption watchdogs in Hungary to influence public opinion with the aim of toppling his government. Those organizations have vehemently denied such claims, and argued that the work they perform is done to professional standards and in the public interest. Orbán has for years enacted crackdowns on NGOs and independent media, passing laws that critics say seek to stigmatize and obstruct groups that provide protection for women and minorities, offer legal and human rights assistance and expose official corruption. Those efforts ramped up in 2023 when Orbán's right-wing populist government launched the Sovereignty Protection Office, an authority tasked with investigating organizations and media outlets it deems to be exerting foreign influence. The bill introduced last week outlines a broad definition of what constitutes a threat to sovereignty. Organizations may be targeted if they oppose or portray in a negative light values such as Hungary's democratic character, national unity, traditional family structures, or Christian culture — suggesting that even legitimate criticism of government policy could be treated as a national security threat. Sunday's demonstration came after two-and-a-half months of weekly protests against an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in March that banned Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify individuals attending the festivities. Hungary's government has argued its policies on LGBTQ+ rights are necessary to protect children from it calls 'gender madness.' But many critics believe the measures were designed to stir up animosity against sexual minorities and help Orbán mobilize his right-wing base ahead of next year's elections.
Hamilton Spectator
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hungarians rally in mass protest against bill allowing blacklisting of Orbán critics
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — A mass protest in Hungary on Sunday drew around 10,000 people in what some demonstrators called an act of resistance against recent actions by the right-wing populist government to restrict basic rights and crack down on independent media. The protest, the latest in a recent wave of anti-government demonstrations, came days after a lawmaker from the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán submitted a bill that would allow the government to monitor, restrict, penalize and potentially ban media outlets and non-governmental organizations it deems a threat to the country's sovereignty. The bill, which has been compared to Russia's 'foreign agent' law , is expected to pass in the parliament where the ruling Fidesz party holds a two-thirds majority. It is seen by many of Orbán's opponents as among the most repressive policies the long-serving leader has leveled at his critics in the last 15 years of his rule. Protesters on Sunday filled the square beside Hungary's parliament in central Budapest to denounce the bill, which would allow the government to blacklist organizations that receive any amount of financial support from outside Hungary, and subject them to intrusive monitoring, searches, major fines and possible bans on their activities. Politicians in Orbán's party, as well as the Sovereignty Protection Office , a controversial government body tasked with identifying alleged threats to Hungary's sovereignty, have specifically identified numerous media outlets and anti-corruption organizations that they claim are serving foreign interests. From a stage at the protest on Sunday, speaker Jakab Tóth said the bill submitted this week 'is nothing more than a threat, a threat against people being able to express their opinions clearly and freely.' Tóth added he believes the government has a responsibility to protect the sovereignty of citizens to exercise free speech and take part in public life. 'If it doesn't belong to all of us, if not all of us are free, then sovereignty is solely and exclusively the sovereignty of the government,' he said. Orbán, who polls show faces the most serious challenge yet to his power in elections scheduled for next year, has claimed that foreign interests, primarily originating in the United States and in neighboring Ukraine, have sought to instrumentalize independent media outlets and anti-corruption watchdogs in Hungary to influence public opinion with the aim of toppling his government. Those organizations have vehemently denied such claims, and argued that the work they perform is done to professional standards and in the public interest. Orbán has for years enacted crackdowns on NGOs and independent media , passing laws that critics say seek to stigmatize and obstruct groups that provide protection for women and minorities, offer legal and human rights assistance and expose official corruption. Those efforts ramped up in 2023 when Orbán's right-wing populist government launched the Sovereignty Protection Office, an authority tasked with investigating organizations and media outlets it deems to be exerting foreign influence. The bill introduced last week outlines a broad definition of what constitutes a threat to sovereignty. Organizations may be targeted if they oppose or portray in a negative light values such as Hungary's democratic character, national unity, traditional family structures, or Christian culture — suggesting that even legitimate criticism of government policy could be treated as a national security threat. Sunday's demonstration came after two-and-a-half months of weekly protests against an anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in March that banned Pride events and allows authorities to use facial recognition software to identify individuals attending the festivities. Hungary's government has argued its policies on LGBTQ+ rights are necessary to protect children from it calls 'gender madness.' But many critics believe the measures were designed to stir up animosity against sexual minorities and help Orbán mobilize his right-wing base ahead of next year's elections.
