If the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban had implemented the regulation, this would be a "serious violation of EU rules and law", the European Commission stated on Saturday (24.05.20125). Brussels "will not hesitate to take the essential steps if this bill is adopted", continued in a statement.
Last week, the Orban government submitted an appropriate bill in parliament. According to authoritative declarations, the aim of the regulation is to guarantee greater transparency in public life. The task provides, inter alia, that organisations must be authorised by the Hungarian Anti-Money Laundering Office to receive funds from abroad. Their bank accounts will besides be regularly audited. In addition to NGOs, this would besides apply to independent media.
Black List
Organisations that usage abroad funds "to influence public life" and thus "threat the sovereignty of Hungary", are to be blacklisted under this law. Which organisations will be covered by the rules is decided last year by the Authority for the Protection of Sovereignty, which has already launched investigations against many organisations specified as Transparency global or the Atlatszo Investigative Portal.
According to the draft law, any organisation that "infringes, presents or promotes action against" the values enshrined in the Hungarian Constitution, specified as matrimony between a man and a woman, is considered a threat.
"Putinization of Hungary"
Opposition politicians criticised the "putinisation of Hungary" – referring to laws in force in Russia aimed at organizations critical of Kremlin. Critics accuse Orban, a friend of Russia's president Vladimir Putin, of fighting non-governmental organizations since taking power in 2010, drastically reducing civilian rights and introducing many changes to strengthen his power.
Tens of thousands of people protested in Budapest last Sunday against the planned bill, the adoption of which, due to the majority of the government in parliament, is considered almost certain.
On Wednesday, the 26 Members of the European Parliament called on the European Commission to suspend any payment of EU funds to Hungary. This is to force the Orban government to halt violating EU law.
