Press releases - Transparency International calls for an immediate end to intimidation of civil society in Hungary
Transparency International, the global anti-corruption movement, is
calling on the government of Hungary to stop its strategy of
intimidation aimed at stifling the voice of civil society and democratic
oversight.
Every government, irrespective of
political affiliation, should uphold the rights of citizens in a
democracy to freely monitor and evaluate public institutions as well as
office-holders.
“The government should stop
harassing civil society and the media simply because they criticise the
state. It is imperative in a democracy that citizens have the right and
the space to speak out about key issues affecting their lives and
provide oversight of their elected leaders. The values of human rights,
transparent public institutions, and a democratic system of check and
balances, should be central to the government’s agenda regardless of
political affiliation,” said Anne Koch, Regional Director for Europe and
Central Asia for Transparency International.
This week, the Government Control
Office (KEHI) raided three non-governmental organisations that
administer the civil society funding programme of the European Economic Area and Norway Grants.
The government has also compiled lists of grant recipients, all
organisations working on anti-corruption, human rights, gender equality
and freedom of speech, as well as of members of the selection panels.
http://www.transparency.org/news/pressrelease/transparency_international_calls_for_an_immediate_end_to_intimidation_