We have won the battle, but not yet the war.
In recent weeks, the government’s proposal for a “Law on the Protection of National Sovereignty” has caused a great stir in public opinion. Many NGOs soon started calling it a “disarmament law”, as it would list and punish all NGOs that receive money from abroad – regardless of what kind of activities they carry out. As the proposal is contrary to both Hungarian and EU law, and even basic common sense, protests and creative actions are taking place almost daily. The famously cohesive and active civil network of Pécs has been mobilised, and we too have taken to the streets, organising demonstrations and holding street forums in various busy places in Pécs.
It felt amazing to receive such clearly positive feedback from people on the street — they congratulated us and told us they’re rooting for us, the civilians. Here in Pécs, just like across the country, it’s clear that the overwhelming majority of people do not agree with this frighteningly anti-democratic undemocratic draft law — no matter which political party they support. In addition to civil organizations and the media, judges, lawyers, the advertising association, and trade unions have also spoken out against the proposal. Even the banking sector has expressed concern. We’ve received messages of solidarity from all over Europe, and the European Commission has also called on the government to withdraw the the proposal.
It’s encouraging to see that speaking up really does makes sense, because the draft law was taken off the agenda as unexpectedly as it came, the day before the parliamentary vote! It will certainly not be debated in Parliament until the autumn, which is clearly also thanks to civil activism.
Although the vote was postponed, the draft law itself has not been withdrawn.
The vote was postponed, but the proposed law was not withdrawn. Therefore, in Pécs we will continue with the street forums, and on 10 June we also gathered a Civil Forum, where we want the Pécs municipality to clearly condemn this draft law in a resolution and stand up for its civilians.
It’s much harder in these circumstances, but we’re continuing to do the work that needs to be done.
We became for you.
We are with you.
We stay because of you.
