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Data-protection-based (GDPR) SLAPP cases in Hungary - HCLU’s report is now available
The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU, in Hungarian: TASZ) has been addressing data protection (GDPR) -based SLAPP issues for several years. GDPR based SLAPP cases are legal proceedings, where influential individuals try to stifle journalism with the misuse of data protection. We represent numerous affected editorial offices and actively participate in the dialogue on the anti-SLAPP directive at the European level. It is our primary aim to learn as much as possible about this new phenomenon, and to use this knowledge to facilitate meaningful dialogue between the relevant stakeholders.
Corruption Monitor - Summary from March 2020 to March 2022
In Hungary, the erosion of the constitutional state and the elevation of corruption to the status of a public policy tool are happening simultaneously, in close connection with each other, mostly hidden behind some alleged public interest objective. In the last two years, this alleged public interest objective has been to control the pandemic. K-Monitor and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union have been documenting this process since the start of the pandemics. The summary and final report of this work covers the period from March 2020 to March 2022. In our report, we present the most significant changes in the last two years that have increased opacity and hampered the fight against corruption, budgetary irregularities, the outsourcing of public assets and measures that disproportionately affect opposition municipalities.
Easier access to public data due to our three successful lawsuits
We have won no less than three cases recently concerning data of public interest. The Centre for Budapest Transport (CBT) and the Hungarian Medical Chamber (HMC) was ordered to release the requested information to our clients free of charge, while MoD ARZENÁL Co., involved in the sales of military devices, has been ordered to reveal the conditions under which they had sold disarmed combat helicopters withdrawn from operation. In all three cases, the decision of the court made it easier to access data of public interest.
Let’s just not sit back and relax yet
Despite international success, freedom of information is on a slippery domestic slope – and not in favour of the public.
HCLU called OGP to investigate the situation in Hungary
Last fall, the Open Government Partnership (OGP) adopted a new policy to help re-establish an environment for government and civil society collaboration, safeguarding the Open Government Declaration and to mitigate reputational risks to OGP. Today, members of Hungarian civil society, including representatives of the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, Transparency International Hungary and K-Monitor, as well as Sunlight’s international policy manager, a former employee of K-Monitor, called on the OGP Steering Committee to take action under the new policy and launch a thorough investigation into the situation in Hungary, with a special attention to the deterioration of the space for civil society.
Draft amendments to Freedom of Information Act in Hungary should be discussed with all stakeholders
Draft amendments to the Freedom of Information Act of Hungary raise concerns about access to public information and should be consulted with all stakeholders before adoption, Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today.
Hungary's Weak New Anti-Corruption Program
The Hungarian government has devised a new anti-corruption program, which, as opposed to reducing corruption, in fact increases the government’s power. Compared with earlier plans, reforms concerning the financing of parties and the protection of whistleblowers have been excluded from the program, which also fails to deal with the asset declarations of MPs. The civil and the business sectors, in turn, are facing stricter regulations in the future.
More:
http://tasz.hu/informacioszabadsag/tovabb-lejton-elfogadta-kormany-nemzeti-korrupcioellenes-programot
An open letter for President Áder!
Civils say law to classify data of the Paks nuclear power plant expansion as confidential for 30 years is unconstitutional.
Hungary Classifies All Information Regarding Paks Nuclear Plant
Five NGOs, including the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, have addressed an open letter to Hungary’s president after the draft law on the maintenance of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant was passed by the Parliament.
Hungary Classifies All Information Regarding Paks Nuclear Plant
Five NGOs, including the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, have addressed an open letter to Hungary’s president after the draft law on the maintenance of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant was passed by the Parliament. The NGOs demand that President János Áder initiate a constitutional review of the law before the Constitutional Court. The NGOs are concerned because the new act severely limits access to public interest data by rendering all information concerning the Paks plant as classified data for the next 30 years. Opposition parties have joined the organizations in attacking the decision.
More:
http://tasz.hu/informacioszabadsag/elfogadhatatlan-paksi-beruhazas-teljes-titkositasa
The state, too, can access my phone records?
In its judgement, the Court of Justice of the European Union has declared the Data Retention Directive invalid. Based on the Directive, service providers were keeping phone records and other personal data for 6 months. We have decided to undertake the lengthy process of actually eliminating this European law in Hungary.
Why was the search of the whistleblower’s home unlawful?
In November, 2013 András Horváth, former staff member of the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration turned to the public with his information on companies committing VAT fraud with the assistance of the National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV). The whistleblower decided to seek publicity after several unsuccessful attempts to raise the issue within the Administration and the government. The revelations resulted in huge media coverage and created an unresolved political scandal ever since.
Liberty represents global partners in privacy claim against British Intelligence Services
(LONDON – 8 November 2013) – Today Liberty announced it will represent an international coalition of partner human rights organisations in a new legal claim against the British Intelligence Services over their role in the ongoing privacy scandal.
Government closing in on freedom of information
On 30 of April, 2013, in an extraordinary process within 24 hours, the Hungarian Parliament adopted an amendment to the Act CXII of 2011 on the Right of Informational Self-Determination and Freedom of Information. The amendment is under the procedure of promulgation, it will be published in a couple of days and will enter into force on the day following the day of its publication.
The coming dark age of democratic governance in Hungary
A recent amendment to the law on right to informational self-determination and freedom of information (Act CXII of 2011) all but ensures that Fidesz will operate the government in complete darkness. The amendment is alarming for many reasons. Most crucially, it casts a wide net in banning public access to any information handled by public bodies that may be controlled by, for example, the State Audit Office, Government Accountability Office, the Public Prosecutor or the Ombudsman. The amendment passed in an insane two days at a conspicuous time when the major NGOs and news portals were about to ask for the bids in a tender for tobacco retail licenses, which reportedly went to party loyalists. With this law the demonstrable corruption of Fidesz can continue without checks and discussions.
The coming dark age of democratic governance in Hungary
A recent amendment to the law on right to informational self-determination and freedom of information (Act CXII of 2011) all but ensures that Fidesz will operate the government in complete darkness. The amendment is alarming for many reasons. Most crucially, it casts a wide net in banning public access to any information handled by public bodies that may be controlled by, for example, the State Audit Office, Government Accountability Office, the Public Prosecutor or the Ombudsman. The amendment passed in an insane two days at a conspicuous time when the major NGOs and news portals were about to ask for the bids in a tender for tobacco retail licenses, which reportedly went to party loyalists. With this law the demonstrable corruption of Fidesz can continue without checks and discussions.
