Pressenza Budapest
Black Lives Matter Demo in Budapest
On June 7, 2020, about one thousand people gathered on Szabadság tér (Liberty Square) in Budapest to express their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in front of the US Embassy. The event was organized by Gregory G Ras and the group… »
The refugee who gave hope to other victims
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee made a movie about the Russian asylum-seeker, Alexei Torubarov. His eventful and touching story illustrates how unfairly refugees are demonized. The case of our client persecuted for his political views had to be brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union to … »
The Nationality of a Virus
By G. M. Tamás[1] As was to be expected, authoritarian governments in Eastern Europe have used the coronavirus epidemic as a pretext to enlarge, to extend, to harden their power and, in the case of Hungary, to finally put the constitutional system out of its misery, where –… »
Hungary: Emergency Law gives carte blanche powers to government – free media and human rights defenders needed more than ever
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… »
Russia, United States attempt to legitimize killer robots
Russia and the United States are continuing their losing fight against the inevitable treaty that’s coming for killer robots. Most states participating in the diplomatic talks on lethal autonomous weapons systems have expressed their strong desire to negotiate a new treaty to address mounting concerns. At this week’s Convention on… »
The European Commission sides with refugees and civil society
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee welcomes the decision of the European Commission to refer Hungary to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for what the Hungarian government calls the ’Stop Soros’ act. The Commission also decided to launch a new infringement procedure for withholding food from those detained… »
Stop Killer Robots before it is Too Late!
On June 6, 2019 a kick-off meeting was held at CEU in Budapest organized by CELAB and activists of the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots – Hungary, to raise awareness on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS) or killer robots. Machines have begun to take the place of humans on the… »
The constitutional court has failed to protect human right defenders
The Constitutional Court (CC) held today that the Criminal Code amendment by the “Stop Soros” package is constitutional. Although the CC concluded that it would be unacceptable if those who selflessly assist asylum seekers were penalised, it is still not sufficiently clear what is allowed and what is forbidden by… »
Demonstrations and roadblocks all over Hungary
Saturday afternoon, the series of demonstrations against the… »
PM Orbán’s much-awaited press conference: “The government cannot comment on business affairs.”
Prime minister Viktor Orbán held a press conference Thursday morning, making good on his July promise to answer questions by journalists before the end of 2018. In a way, he did. Today was a rare opportunity, as Viktor Orbán does not often talk to journalists outside the pro-government media empire. »