Reports of human rights violations in Hungary are piling up, critics of the reports of threats. The EU Parliament votes on Wednesday on sanctions against Hungary. In Budapest, one speaks of a “smear campaign”.
Marta Pardavi, Co-chair of the Helsinki Committee (HCC), a non-governmental human rights organisation based in Budapest, already knew what to expect: While you are stopped in front of the civil rights Committee of the EU Parliament a paper on the decimation of the rule of law by the Hungarian government, were your colleagues in the office, “with hate-filled E-Mails and angry phone calls flooded” literally “”. Pardavi, and their colleagues are accustomed to. They are committed to Hungary, which is characterised by “European values”. This is not necessarily the Hungary of Viktor Orban.
In an interview with Deutsche Welle Pardavi, whose organization uses, among other things, for asylum seekers, disillusioned. In addition to the standing charge, it would be a betrayal of Hungary,””, “published names and photos of me and those of my colleagues coming to Brussels, and lectures on issues of the rule of law”. After such lectures, they were always targeted for certain groups: “This is not a theoretical fear. I know from my own experience, that these things happen.”
Sargentini report warns of human rights violations
The green MEP Judith Sargentini is of the firm Belief that such behaviour should have no place in the EU. The Dutch politician focuses on the legislative processes in Hungary. In the European Parliament it is advertising for your colleagues to activate article 7 of the Lisbon Treaty, against Budapest. The vote is set for Wednesday. Article 7.1 gives the Board permission, a formal warning against a country to say, in which the fundamental rights are violated. If this has not the desired effect, could adopt with the help of article 7.2 sanctions and voting rights to be suspended.
MEP Judith Sargentini
According to a Sargentini report published Orban’s attacks on the press, the judiciary, migrants, minorities and refugees were a “systematic threat to the” fundamental principles of the European Union.
“First of all, we lose from the point of view of the non-European foreign countries our rightful claim to respect human rights, if we allow such things to happen in the middle of the European Union”, said Sargentini of the DW: “But, above all, the Hungarians are losing their democracy.”
“Campaign” against Hungary
Not all Hungarians agree with Sargentinis. Miklos Szantho, the Director of the Budapest Center For Fundamental Rights. He accuses Sargentini and your colleagues to orchestrate a “smear campaign” against Hungary and Viktor Orban: “The report contains a number of falsehoods,” said Szantho DW: “I’m not sure if this is due to the fact that Hungarian laws were not interpreted correctly, or whether it is simply a lie.”
Patriot presents itself as a table and against refugees: The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban
As an example, Szantho that the rights of the Hungarian constitutional court had been restricted in any way, as the report suggests. Rather, had changed his “responsibilities.” He also addresses Sargentinis criticism of the Hungarian matrimonial law. This defines the marriage as an exclusive Union between a man and a woman. From Szanthos point of view, criticism is an unacceptable interference in Hungary’s sovereignty. The accusation that human rights are threatened groups in any way, he rejects as “absurd”.
Also from the Hungarian government’s sharp criticism of the report Sargentinis. The government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, condemned this as a “bunch of lies”. The real reason for the criticism is the attitude of the Hungarian government on the issue of Migration. “This is the desperate attempt of refugees-friendly groups to Hungary in the pillory.” This is not “good for the European project”.
Marta Padavi, second from the right, criticizing the government of Viktor Orban sharp
Vote significant for Hungary
Marta Padavi can smile over such statements only tired. For the people in Hungary that are now under attack, that you will defend the human rights, cannot be considered to the vote. The Hungarian government with sanctions to impose, the penalty of the declared will of the European Union, and democracies protect to want to lie, so Padavi. She is of the firm Conviction that not only Hungary, but also other governments would draw incorrect conclusions. To these governments, the Signal would end, that it was okay, “to respect fundamental European values and standards” miss and “no serious consequences” need not fear.
Despite the sharpness of the debate and the drama of the Appeals of the European Parliament (EP) among the 751 deputies still great indecision. If you listen to these days in the corridors of the EP, only one thing is clear: Shortly before the vote on Wednesday is not at all clear where the journey goes.