Feb. 7 (UPI) — The European Commission Wednesday launched legal action against Hungary over its so-called sovereignty law.
The commission said in a statement that the Hungarian Parliament’s Defense of National Sovereignty legislation, which establishes a government office with the power to investigate Hungarians who may act to jeopardize the nation’s sovereignty, saying it “violates several provisions of primary and secondary EU law.”
According to the European Commission, Hungary’s sovereignty law violates the EU’s rights “to respect private and family life, the right to protection of personal data, the freedom of expression and information, the freedom of association, the electoral rights of EU citizens, the right to an effective remedy and to a fair trial, the privilege against self-incrimination and the legal professional privilege; and the requirements of EU law relating to data protection and several rules applicable to the internal market.”
The law, which went into effect on Dec. 22, established the “Office of the Defense of Sovereignty with the power to investigate — without judicial oversight — politically active Hungarians who may be involved in activities benefitting foreign bodies, organizations or people and organizations whose foreign funding could influence voters and elections in the nation.
It also bars political groups from using foreign funding to influence voters and elections and establishes criminal punishment for foreign funding in elections.
Independent media in Hungary have joined civil society groups warning the new law would enable severe free press restrictions and is part of an attempt by the government to silence critical voices.
Hungary has two months to respond to the commission’s formal notice of the violations. If Hungary doesn’t satisfactorily address the issues, the commission will proceed to the next step in its infringement action.
Hungary has been at odds for years with the EU over democracy principles and the rule of law, exacerbated by concerns that Hungary is undermining western unity through a Russia-friendly foreign policy as Russia attacks Ukraine.
After blocking a $54 billion EU aid package to Ukraine, Hungary’s right-wing government agreed Thursday to support the package when provisions were included pledging the EU would be objective, fair and impartial when assessing funding.
