Freedom of Assembly

The HCLU has written a letter to Tibor Draskovics, Hungarian Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement, to question why private security services were allowed to check identities and search the clothing of citizens during the March 15th National State Ceremonies.

On August 7th, 2007 Dr. Bencze József, Liutenant General High Comissioner of Hungarian National Police invited Balázs Dénes, President of the HCLU and his colleagues to a meeting at the National Police Headquarters. For results of this meeting, please read the below press release.

On the initiation of the Háttér Support Society for LGBGS (Hungarian gay and lesbian rights organization), a number of civil organizations have signed a declaration about the events that took place on July 7th, 2007 during the Budapest Gay Pride Parade. Read the declaration!

On July 13th, 2007 the Metropolitan Court returned its verdict in the Amnesty International (AI) vs. National Police Headquarters (NPH) lawsuit. The HCLU has taken on the legal representation of AI during the proceedings.

"Upon the request of the Budapest Investigation Authority - following the HCLU's press conference yesterday - the head of the National Police Headquarters (NPH) initiated an investigation by the NPH's Traffic Control Department in order to determine whether the use of the controversial firearms and rubber bullets was legal. According to available information and with reference to norms, use of these tools was legal" - notifies the police on their webpage (www.police.hu).

The HCLU will hold a press conference on findings of police practices during September and October 23rd, 2006

On May 13th, 2007 five demonstrations, national legalization rallies organized by the Hemp Seed Association were held in Hungary as part of the International Million Marijuana March event-series.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is pleased to acknowledge that the government has, just before it became valid, revoked the governmental decree amendment, which would have classified bullet and pierce-proof vests, helmets and breast-plates as equipment specifically dangerous to public safety.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) welcomes the decision of the Constitutional Court, which abrogated the disposition modified on the 26th October 2006 of the decree 59/1995.

The HCLU human rights organization would like to call attention to the fact, that even though the current situation at Kossuth square is undoubtedly due to the cynical, unlawful and unacceptable attitude of the police, in a democratic state there is no place for unlawful action even if authorities are believed to be behaving in an unlawful way.