Stemming the Tide of Extremism: Recommendations for the European Commission and Hungarian Government

The government of Hungary can advance human rights and democracy, and improve relations with the U.S. and Europe, by bringing its 2011 Constitution and Fundamental Laws into compliance with international obligations. This includes reinstating checks and balances on executive power.

Amid the refugee crisis and growing concerns by minorities about intolerance, the government should also step up efforts to combat hate crimes and discrimination so that all citizens may exercise their universal rights and have them protected. The government also faces the challenge of dealing with a democratically elected neo-fascist opposition party that promotes violations of human rights. Addressing these challenges will require simultaneous efforts to restore constitutional checks and balances and combat hatred and discrimination by rights-respecting means, in accordance with Hungary’s obligations to the E.U., Council of Europe, and OSCE.

Recommendations to the United States

• Enhance efforts, on the part of the Hungary Working Group as a bipartisan forum, to increase the voices calling for action in the Executive Branch and on both sides of the aisle in Congress.
• Restart funding for embattled civil society groups in Hungary to confront democratic backsliding, antisemitism, racism, hate crime, and corruption.