FRA statement on recent developments affecting civil society and fundamental rights

News Item 29 May 2025 FRA statement on recent developments affecting civil society and fundamental rights Support for human rights systems and defenders Civil societywellphoto, Adobestock.com, 2025 The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) expresses deep concern about recent legislative developments in Hungary which can restrict the operating environment for civil society organisations (CSOs). The measures risk undermining the essential role that civil society plays in any rule of law-based democracy and may violate rights protected by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights – including the rights to freedom of expression, assembly and association, media freedom and pluralism, and privacy. The character of these recent legislative changes – with one law still to be adopted – raises serious concerns not only for fundamental rights within Hungary but also for the broader commitment to EU values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union. These include respect for human dignity, human rights, minority rights, pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality. While it is the European Commission’s competence to assess the specifics of legislation, FRA is compelled to highlight that an exceptional situation like the one developing in Hungary – such as legislating to enable a ban on the Budapest Pride – can and should be prevented across the EU. The agency also recalls that any legal reform affecting CSOs must respect fundamental...