Hungary’s New Bill Threatens to End Civil Society and Empower the Government to Persecute with Impunity

On April 24, 2023, a proposed law in Hungary, titled the "Transparency of Public Life" bill, was introduced to give the government sweeping powers to punish organisations deemed a threat to national sovereignty. Entities receiving foreign support could be fined up to 25 times the amount received, with failure to pay resulting in activity ban and forced closure, threatening civil society and public participation.