The European Parliament has debated today the COVID-19 emergency
legislation in Hungary and its impact on the rule of law and fundamental
rights. In effect, the absence of a clear time limit on the state the
emergency allows the Orbán-government to maximize its power grab,
to silence critics by curbing the freedom of expression and to financially hijack municipalities led by opposition parties.
Hungary is subject to an Article 7 TEU procedure as the FIDESZ
government is responsible for severe violations of EU fundamental
values. Renew Europe therefore proposes strict conditions on the use
of EU emergency and flexible funding intended to alleviate the impact
of COVID19 – millions of Euros from European tax payers' money should
only be paid out to the Hungarian government if they assume membership
and scrutiny of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
Renew Europe also wants to make sure that Hungarian project
beneficiaries are financially protected, thus EU funds dedicated to the
recovery plan should be managed by the EU Commission under a
centralised model, directly with the recipients: central or local
authorities, civil society, companies and citizens.
Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights in times of
COVID-19. We have called on the European Commission and the
Council to consider measures including temporary crisis aid for
NGOs working to defend democracy, supporting independent
media outlets, creating a fund for education on European history
and values, as well as setting up a special litigation fund to help
citizens fight court cases when their fundamental rights have been
violated.
Katalin Cseh MEP, Renew Europe's Vice-President commented:
"In the last two days, two Hungarian citizens were detained by
police because of critical social media posts. The basis was
Orbán's coronavirus law, threatening information providers with
prison time. It is now crystal clear that the rule of law crisis has
entered into a new phase and the virus is used as a pretence
to trample upon fundamental rights in Hungary. European institutions
have been trying 'dialogue', 'discussion' and 'expressing concerns' f
or too long. We need actions, not words."
Ramona Strugariu MEP , Renew Europe's shadow rapporteur on
the Hungary Art. 7 procedure said in today's plenary debate:
"What is happening right now in Hungary and what Mr Orbán is doing
is not only grounds for concern, it is a reason for starting infringement
procedures and Hungary’s legal exit from the European Union and its
values. Mr Orbán should be here at the European Parliament to answer
some questions today but he said he was busy fighting the pandemic. What is the connection between pandemics and the rejection of the Istanbul Convention, fully silencing the civil society and criminalising independent media?"
"Hungarian citizens deserve full respect and commitment.
This is precisely why Mr Orbán and his government have no right to
pull them out abruptly from their European path by disregarding the
EU law framework and the mere concept of democracy. We need to
fight this, and any other crisis together, under the umbrella of the
same rules and values. And we need to stay there and grow stronger
past this crisis. Those who ignore this truth are hurting, not helping
their own country and people, as well as the Union."
Sophie in 't Veld MEP, Chair of the European Parliament's Democracy,
Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group said:
"Let's face it: under the rule of Mr Orbán and his cronies, democracy
has been killed in Hungary and yet the Council is shamefully protecting
him and refuse to put this issue on their agenda. I would wish that for once the Dutch Prime Minister and Minister of Finance would be just as vocal about violating the rule of law in the EU, as they are about budget discipline."
"I wonder why does the EPP continue to protect Mr Orbán?
There are many good people in the EPP, true democrats and defenders
of the rule of law. But as long as FIDESZ stays a member, the EPP remains complicit in the destruction of the rule of law."
Anna Donáth MEP (Hungary), Member of the Civil Liberties Committee
added:
"The plenary debate made it clear: the majority of the MEPs view the
Hungarian government’s introduction of the emergency act for unlimited
time to be another step towards weakening the rule of law in the country.
The measures have nothing to do with the fight against the pandemic,
as it is shown by newly adopted laws, such as the resolution on rejecting
the Istanbul Convention, limiting the rights of trans people, arresting
citizens who voiced their opinion on social media or
threatening journalists with prison if they spread 'fake news'
about the coronavirus."
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact
Sándor Blasko
Tel : +32 2 283 00 89
Mob : +32 483 04 97 89
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