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EU: Stop Hungary’s attack on democracy now!

EU: Stop Hungary’s attack on democracy now!

To EU member states and EU institutions

Petition

On 13 May 2025, a member of Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, submitted the Transparency of Public Life bill. [1] If passed, it would allow the government to target, defund, and dissolve any organisation deemed a “threat to Hungarian sovereignty,” silencing the last independent voices in Hungary.

This bill is the latest in a series of moves eroding the rule of law and represents the most drastic attack yet, demanding urgent action from the European Union.

We therefore urge all EU Member States and institutions to take the following immediate steps: 

  • Publicly condemn the Hungarian government’s attempt to eliminate the remaining elements of independent civil society.
  • Advance the Article 7(1) procedure by voting to recognise a serious breach of EU values by Hungary.
  • Request interim measures from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in the infringement procedure concerning Hungary’s Sovereignty Law and the Sovereignty Protection Office, in order to suspend their application.
  • Initiate new legal action against Hungary before the CJEU for failing to comply with the Court’s ruling on the 2017 Transparency Law–and to seek financial penalties for continued non-compliance

Why is this important?

A huge EU flag waves over Budapest with one word on it: HELP.

Tens of thousands are protesting a dangerous new law that could erase what’s left of Hungarian democracy. If passed, the government could blacklist, fine, or shut down organisations and media that receive foreign funding—even target everyday people who speak out. [2]

Silencing all critics? That’s the goal.

But this isn’t just about Hungary. Across Europe, there’s a growing trend to silence those who stand up for democracy, rights, and the environment.

At the EU level, some conservative and far-right politicians have already tried to cut funding for environmental groups. [3] We’ve stopped them before, thanks to pressure from our community. But if Hungary gets away with this, it sends a disturbing message: authoritarian tactics are welcome in Europe.

Right now, EU leaders are debating how to respond. One powerful option on the table? Suspending Hungary’s voting rights in the EU Council. [4]

But our leaders will take bold action only if they feel the pressure from thousands of people like you.

Let’s show them that Europeans everywhere are standing up—for Hungary, and for democracy across our continent.

References:

  1. https://helsinki.hu/en/operation-starve-and-strangle-2025/ 
    https://www.parlament.hu/irom42/11923/11923.pdf 
    Unofficial English translation of the bill: https://helsinki.hu/en/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/Bill-T11923_Transparency-of-Public-Life.pdf
  2. https://www.dw.com/en/eu-mulls-options-as-hungary-announces-russian-style-foreign-agent-law/a-72623228 
  3. https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-02-ngo-funding-petition-EN/
  4. The Treaty on the European Union outlines a procedure for addressing serious and persistent breaches of EU values by member states under Article 7. It allows for the suspension of certain rights, including voting rights in the Council of the European Union, if a member is determined to be in repeated violations of the EU's fundamental principles, such as weakening rule of law, democracy and freedoms.
    https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/article-7-procedures/