Over 250 organizations and platforms from all over the world have signed a letter expressing their grave concern over the shrinking space for civil society in Hungary:

On 13 February 2018, the Hungarian government tabled to Parliament a proposed legislative pack of three laws, commonly referred to as “Stop Soros”. The newly proposed legislation would further restrict Hungarian civil society’s ability to carry out their work, by requiring organizations that “support migration” to obtain national security clearance and a government permit to perform basic functions.

The proposed law would also require organizations to pay a tax of 25% of any foreign funding aimed at “supporting migration”. Failure to do so would subject them to steps so serious that they could lead to exorbitant fines, bankruptcy, and the dissolving of the NGO involved.

As defenders of rights and freedoms, we want people everywhere to be able to speak out without being attacked, threatened or jailed.

These come in a context of already shrinking space for civil society in Hungary and contravene Hungary’s obligations under international law to protect the right to freedom of association, expression and movement.

We believe the new proposals represent the latest initiative in the Hungarian government’s escalating effort to crack down on the legitimate work of civil society groups in Hungary seeking to promote and defend human rights, provide legal and social services to people in need in the country, and publicly express dissenting opinions in the press and online.

As defenders of rights and freedoms, we want people everywhere to be able to speak out without being attacked, threatened, or jailed. Open debate on matters relating to government policies and practice is necessary in every society, and human rights defenders should not face criminalization for voicing their sometimes dissenting voices.

Countries need to put laws in place which keep human rights defenders safe from harm, rather than introducing repressive laws that aim to silence those who speak out. 

Human rights defenders defend the rights of people in their own communities and their countries, and in doing so they protect all of our rights, globally. Human rights defenders are often the last line of defense for a free and just society and undertake immense personal risks and sacrifices to do their work.

They are courageous people, committed to creating a fairer society. Without their courage, the world we live in would be less fair, less just and less equal.

We stand in solidarity with civil society and human rights defenders in Hungary.

They are courageous people, committed to creating a fairer society. Without their courage, the world we live in would be less fair, less just, and less equal.

We are calling on the Hungarian Parliament to reject the proposed laws in their entirety and let the NGOs and defenders continue their work, instead of defending themselves against such attacks.

The below-listed organizations declare their support and solidarity with non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders in Hungary (listed by country): 

• ILGA – Europe

• Civil Liberties Union for Europe (Liberties)

• Human Rights Watch

• AEDH – Association Europeenne de Droits de l’Homme

• FIDH, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

• World Organisation against Torture, within the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders

• Light for the World

• Funders’ Initiative for Civil Society

• Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights

• CONCORD – European Confederation of Relief and Development NGOs

• Human Rights First

• Transgender Europe

• Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe

• International Civil Society Centre

• Reporters sans Frontières

• ENAR – European Network Against Racism

• European Volunteer Centre

• Civicus

• Civil Society Europe

• Oxfam 

• European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL)

• Protection International – Belgium

• çavaria vzw – Belgium

• 11.11.11. – Belgium

• Artsen zonder Vakantie – Belgium

• Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen – Belgium

• Liga voor mensenrechten – Belgium

• WWF Belgium – Belgium

• ACAT – Belgique/ Belgie/ Belgium

• Volonteurope Belgium – Belgium

• CROSOL – Croatian Platform for International Citizen Solidarity – Croatia

• Centre for Peace Studies from Zagreb – Croatia

• GONG – Croatia

• Brod Ecological Society – BED – Croatia

• Documenta – Center for Dealing with the Past – Croatia

• CESI – Center for Education, Counselling and Research – Croatia

• Human Rights House Zagreb – Croatia

• Rehabilitation center for stress and trauma – Croatia

• Adra Česká republika – Czech Republic

• Open Society Fund/ Nadace OSF Praha – Czech Republic

• The Civil Society Development Foundation (Nadace rozvoje občanské společnosti – NROS

• Transparency International ČR– Czech Republic

• Člověk v tísni – People in Need – Czech Republic

• Forum 2000 – The Forum 2000 Foundation – Czech Republic

• META – Společnost pro příležitosti mladých migrantů – Association for opportunities of young migrants – Czech Republic

• Most pro o.p.s. – poradna pro cizince – Czech Republic

• SIMI – Sdružení pro integraci a migraci – Association for integration and migration- Czech Republic

• Glopolis – Glopolis – Czech Republic

• Centrum pro integraci cizinců – Centre for Integration of Foreigners – Czech Republic

• Diakonie (Českobratrské církve evangelické) – Diaconia (Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren) – Czech Republic

• Most – Czech Republic

• Konsorcium nevládních organizací pracujících s migranty – Consortium of Migrants Assisting Organizations – Czech Republic

• DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights – Asociace pro podporu demokracie a lidských práv – Czech Republic

• Pavel Havlicek, Analyst at the Research Centre, Association for International Affairs Prague, Czech Republic

• Organizace pro pomoc uprchlíkům – Organization for aid to refugees

• Denmark Nyt Europa – Denmark

• Kehitysmaayhdistys Pääskyt ry – Finland

• Suomen Pakolaisapu | Finnish Refugee Council – Finland

• ETMU ry (Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration) – Finland

• Suomen Nuorisoyhteistyö – Allianssi ry – Finland

• Suomen Setlementtiliitto – Finland

• Ensi- ja turvakotien liitto – Finland

• Suomen Mielenterveysseura ry – Finland

• Ihmisoikeusliitto ry – Finnish League for Human Rights – Finland

• Kehitysyhteistyöjärjestöjen EU-yhdistys Kehys ry – The Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU Kehys – Finland

• Vammaisten perus- ja ihmisoikeusjärjestö Kynnys ry – Finland

• Suomen somalialaisten liitto – Finland

• Seta LGBTIQ Rights in Finland – Finland

• Trasek ry – Finland

• Lesben- und Schwulenverband in Deutschland (LSVD) – Germany

• Hirschfeld-Eddy-Stiftung (HES) – Germany

• ADRA Deutschland e.V – Germany

• BAfF e.V.-Bundesweite Arbeitsgemeinschaft Psychosozialer Zentren für Flüchtlinge und Folteropfer – Germany

• Forum Menschenrechte – Germany

• VENRO – Verband Entwicklungspolitik und humanitäre Hilfe deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen e.V. – Germany

• Solidaritätsdienst International e.V. (SODI) – Germany

• Adivasi-Koordination in Deutschland e.V. – Germany

• ACAT-Deutschland e.V. – Germany

• Missionsärztliches Institut Würzburg – Germany

• Deutsches Medikamenten-Hilfswerk action medeor e.V. – Germany

• Deutsche Kommission Justitia et Pax – Germany

• Germanwatch e.V. – Germany

• Welthaus Bielefeld e.V. – Germany

• Civil Liberties Union for Europe e.V.” – Germany

• CILD – Italian Civil Liberties Advocacy Coalition – Italy

• Dr Andrea Gullotta, Memorial Italia Italy

• Antigone – Italy

• LIDU – Lega Italiana dei diritti dell’Uomo

• Front Line Defenders – Ireland

• Irish Nurses and Midwives organisation – Ireland

• Christian Aid Ireland – Ireland

• Transgender Equality Network Ireland – Ireland

• The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) – Ireland

• Latvian Platform for Development Cooperation – Latvia

• Latvia’s Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health – Latvia

• ASTI (Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés) – Luxembourg

• Passerell – Luxembourg

• ACAT Luxemburg – Luxembourg

• Reech eng Hand – Luxembourg

• Caritas Luxembourg – Luxembourg

• David Barkin – Profesor de Economía Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco,Mexico

• Aidsfonds – Netherlands

• Amsterdamse Diakonie – Netherlands

• Article 19 – Netherlands

• ASKV – Steunpunt Vluchtelingen – Netherlands

• Blikopeners – Netherlands

• Clara Wichmannfonds – Netherlands

• Dance4Life – Netherlands

• Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists (NJCM) – Netherlands

• Free Press Unlimited – Netherlands

• Humanistisch Verbond – Netherlands

• Humanity House – Netherlands

• IMMO – instituut voor Mensenrechten en Medisch Onderzoek – Netherlands

• INLIA – International Network of Local Initiatives with Asylumseekers – Netherlands

• Justice and Peace Netherlands – Netherlands

• KOMPASS – Netherlands

• La Strada – Netherlands

• Libereco – Partnership for Human Rights – Netherlands

• Milieudefensie – Netherlands

• Movies that Matter – Netherlands

• Netherlands Helsinki Committee – Netherlands

• Foundation Max van der Stoel – Netherlands

• NVJ – Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten – Netherlands

• Partizan Publik – Netherlands

• Pax – Netherlands

• Power of Art House – Netherlands

• Privacy First – Netherlands

• Prospector – Netherlands

• Stichting LOS – Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt – Netherlands

• Stichting Vluchteling – Netherlands

• Stichting voor Vluchteling-Studenten – UAF – Netherlands

• The Amsterdam Gay Pride – Netherlands

• The Hague Peace Projects – Netherlands

• Transnational Institute (TNI) – Netherlands

• VLot – fonds voor vluchtelingen – Netherlands

• VluchtelingenWerk NL – Netherlands

• The Norwegian Helsinki Committee – Norway

• Fundacja im. Stefana Batorego – Poland

• Sieć Obywatelska Watchdog Polska – Poland

• Projekt: Polska – Poland

• Stowarzyszenie przeciw Antysemityzmowi i Ksenofobii Otwarta Rzeczpospolita – Poland

• Stowarzyszenie Interwencji Prawnej – Poland

• Instytut Spraw Publicznych – Poland

• Fundacja ePaństwo – Poland

• Panoptykon – Poland

• Polskie Towarzystwo Prawa Antydyskryminacyjnego – Poland

• Fundacja Pole Dialogu – Poland

• Polski Instytut Praw Człowieka I Biznesu – Poland

• Stowarzyszenie Willa Decjusza – Poland

• Pracownia Badań i Innowacji Społecznych “Stocznia – Poland

• Towarzystwo Edukacji Antydyskryminacyjnej – Poland

• Fundacja Autonomia – Poland

• Stowarzyszenie Klon/Jawor – Poland

• Małopolskie Towarzystwo Oświatowe z Nowego Sącza – Poland

• Fundacja Ari Ari – Poland

• Ogólnopolska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych – Poland

• Instytut Prawa i Społeczeństwa – Poland

• Fundacja Partners Polska – Poland

• Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka – Poland

• Grupy Zagranica – Poland

• The Unit for Social Innovation & Research Shipyard – Poland

• INPRIS – Institute for Law and Society – Poland

• National Federation of Polish NGOs – Poland

• Centre for International Relations (CIR) – Poland

• Citizens Network Watchdog Poland – Poland

• Institute of Public Affairs – Poland

• Association against Anti-Semitism and Xenophobia Open Republic – Poland

• Stefan Batory Foundation Poland

• Danuta Przywara, President of the Board, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights Poland

• Inițiativa România – Romania

• NGOs Federation for Children Romania – Romania

• RISE Romania – Romania

• Resource Center for Public Participation – CeRe (Romania) – Romania

• FONSS (The Federation of Non-Governmental Organisations for Social Services) – Romania

• Gabriela Tudor Foundation – Romania

• Mediawise Society Association – Romania

• The Civil Society Development Foundation – Romania

• Expert Forum – Romania

• Center for Independent Journalism – Romania

• Federatia Organizatiilor Neguvernamentale pentru Copil – Romania

• Asociatia One World Romania – Romania

• Asociatia Militia Spirituala – Romania

• ActiveWatch – Romania

• CENTRAS – Romania

• Asociatia Pro Democratia – Romania

• Agenția Impreuna – Romania

• Fundatia Estuar – Romania

• Dizabnet – Federatia prestatorilor pentru persoane cu dizabilitati – Romania

• The Swedish Organisation for Individual Relief – Romania

• Alaturi de Voi Romania – Romania

• Moscow Helsinki Group – Russia

• Igor Vladimirovich Batov, Chairman of the Council of the Pskov Regional Environmental Rights Human Rights Movement ʺFree Coastʺ, a member of the Public Chamber of the Pskov region – Russia

• Andrei Suslov, Center for Citizanship Education and Human Rights, Perm – Russia

• Evdokimova Natalia Leonidovna, Human Rights Council of St. Petersburg. – Russia

• Lilia Shibanova, member of the Moscow Helsinki Group Russia

• Bureau for Regional Outreach Campaigns – BROC Vladivostok, Russia

• Pride Kosice – Slovakia

• Central European Forum – Slovakia

• Human Rights League – Slovakia

• Slovak Humanitarian Council – Slovakia

• People in Need Slovakia – Slovakia

• Via Iuris – Slovakia

• Inakosť – Slovakia

• Transfuzia – Slovakia

• Bi-centrum – Slovakia

• EduRoma – Slovakia

• Centrum komunitneho organizovania – Centre for Community Organizing – Slovakia

• SLOGA, platforma nevladnih organizacij za razvoj, globalno učenje in humanitarno pomoč – Slovenia

• Društvo Humanitas

• Društvo Odnos – Slovenia

• Mirovni inštitut – Slovenia

• Kulturno-umetniško društvo Mreža – Slovenia

• Društvo za uveljavljanje enakosti in pluralnosti Vita Activa – Slovenia

• Društvo informacijski center Legebitra – Slovenia

• TransAkcija – Slovenia

• Society for awareness raising and protection – center of antidiscrimination (OVCA) – Slovenia

• Društvo za nenasilno komunikacijo – Association for nonviolent communications – Slovenia

• Focus, društvo za sonaraven razvoj – Focus, association for sustainable development – Slovenia

• Rights International Spain – Spain

• Asociación Katío – Spain

• Ecologistas en Acción – Spain

• AIETI – Asociacion de Investigacion y Especializacion Sobre Temas Iberoamericanos

• APDHE – Spain

• ICID – Spain

• Comité Monseñor Óscar Romero de Madrid – Spain

• Mujeres de Negro contra la Guerra – Madrid – Spain

• Acción Verapaz – Spain

• Colectivo Ansur – Spain

• Calala Fondo de Mujeres – Spain

• Global Witness – Spain

• Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) – Switzerland

• ACAT-Schweiz Suisse Svizzera – Switzerland

• Pylyp Orlyk Institute of Democracy – Ukraine

• La Strada – Ukraine

• Kharkiv Human Rights Group – Ukraine

• Suspilni Ekolohichni Initsiatyvy – Ukraine

• Kharkiv Regional Foundation “Public Alternative” – Ukraine

• Human Rights Information Centre – Ukraine

• Kyiv Educational Centre “Prostir Tolerantnosti” – Ukraine

• Human Rights Centre “All Rights” – Ukraine

• Ternopil Human Rights Group – Ukraine

• Vostok SOS – Ukraine

• EHA “Green World” – Ukraine

• Adaptatsiynyi Cholovichyi Tsentr – Ukraine

• Helsinski Initiative – XXI – Ukraine

• Center for Civil Liberties – Ukraine

• Ekolohichna Hrupa Pechenihy – Ukraine

• Romano radio Chiriklo – Ukraine

• Civil Initiative Center – Ukraine

• Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York – United Kingdom

• The Oakland Institute, United States of America

• CIVILIS Derechos Humanos – Venezuela

• Acción Solidaria on HIV/aids – Venezuela

• Asociación Civil Fuerza, Unión, Justicia, Solidaridad y Paz – Venezuela

• Programa de Educación-Acción en Derechos Humanos – Venezuela

• Centro Comunitario de Aprendizaje – Venezuela

• Comité de Familiares de Víctimas de los Sucesos de Febrero y Marzo de 1989 – Venezuela

• Centro de Justicia y Paz – Venezuela