Amendments introduced as of 18 June by the so-called Transitional Act provide the Government excessive powers that can be applied with a reference to an epidemic, with significantly weakened constitutional safeguards. Other provisions for example on asylum, the powers of the military forces, and data protection also give rise to concerns, NGOs say.
The Authorization Act allows the Government to introduce significant restrictions, practically without any time limit, without any debate in the Parliament, and without any guarantee for the swift and effective constitutional review.
On 31 March 2020, the Hungarian Government issued a decree that overrode certain provisions of the Hungarian Code of Criminal Procedure with a view to state of danger declared by the Government due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Further amendments followed on 8 May after the adoption of another government decree.
In the early morning hours of 13 May 2020 in the town of Gyula, located in the southeast corner of Hungary, the police raided the home of Mr János Csóka-Szűcs, a local NGO activist.
The Hungarian Parliament adopted the so-called”Authorization Act”, allowing indefinite government rule by decree. The role of free media and a strong civil society is now more vital than ever to ensure government accountability. Fully aware of its increased responsibility, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee is reorganising its activities and intensifying its efforts to counter the destruction of the rule of law.
The explanatory note provides details of the proposed new framework concerning the state of danger and the state of medical emergency; compares the scope of decrees the Government may issue during a future state of danger, a future state of medical emergency, and while the Authorization Act remains in force; and demonstrates how the decision to lift the current state of danger will remain at the discretion of the Government.
During the coronavirus epidemic, health care workers have to deal with a number of legal issues that they have not yet dealt with. We began to receive questions from doctors and it soon turned out that the professional medical organization would also need legal support.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee would like to help those who are in need with its 30 years of legal expertise and experience even during these hard times caused by the COVID-19: we explain new rules in plain language on our website: https://old.helsinki.hu/en/covid-19-information-leaflets/ and we also help in individual cases and specific legal issues if related to Hungary.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee received the European Union Civil Solidarity Prize on Monday morning in recognition of its activities during the coronavirus pandemic. The prize was awarded to the Hungarian human rights organisation by the European Economic and Social Committee. This is the ninth major international recognition of the organisation’s outstanding work in the last five years.
Rapid analysis of the Bill on Terminating the State of Danger (T/10747) & the Bill on Transitional Provisions related to the Termination of the State of Danger (T/10748) Shortly before midnight on 26 May, Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén submitted to parliament the Bill on Terminating the State of Danger (T/10747) and the Bill on Transitional Provisions related to the Termination of the State of Danger (T/10748).
