More than 320 civil society organisations from across the European Union have called on the European Commission to take urgent action against a new Hungarian bill that threatens the existence of independent media, civil society organisations, and the rule of law.
In an open letter sent today, the signatories urge President von der Leyen to initiate interim measures through the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to block the implementation of the so-called “Transparency of Public Life” bill, which was submitted to the Hungarian Parliament on 13 May 2025 and later publicly endorsed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. “If adopted, the bill would provide the Hungarian government with the final tools to effectively silence the country’s remaining independent voices ahead of the 2026 parliamentary elections,” the letter states.
The organisations argue that the bill is in clear violation of EU law, including the free movement of capital, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the right to freedom of expression, association and the right to protection of private life protected under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The letter specifically calls on President von der Leyen and Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection McGrath to:
- immediately request the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) to grant interim measures in the ongoing infringement procedure on the Law on the Defence of National Sovereignty (Case C-829/24),
- publicly urge the Hungarian government to withdraw the bill,
- open a new infringement procedure, in case Hungary refuses the requests.
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights has joined the ranks of signatories. Share the appeal:
