History and main activities of HCLU

However, our activities have changed and expanded significantly in recent decades. In the 1990s, we helped enforce the rights of drug users, while also taking action against measures by the authorities that restricted freedom and for the protection of personal data. From the outset, free legal aid was important, and later we also provided representation in precedent-setting cases. We initiated the creation and amendment of legislation and changes in law enforcement practices based on human rights considerations. At the time, this proved to be very effective, as we were able to influence public debates and, with that, decision-makers and politicians.

In the 2000s, the shortcomings of the system became increasingly apparent, and the imperfections of the institutions of the rule of law came to the surface. The state became increasingly secretive and stood by almost idly as hatred caused ever greater problems in society. At this time, we began working with new topics and new tools. The protection of freedom of speech, press, and assembly came to the fore, and we filed many lawsuits for the disclosure of information of public interest. By the end of the decade, it had become clear that we needed to launch a separate program to address discrimination against Roma and racist violence against them. By then, we no longer wanted to focus solely on developing the law, but also on raising legal awareness throughout society, and we launched more and more strategic lawsuits. We increasingly focused on making legal protection available to everyone.

Unfortunately, these efforts were insufficient to prevent citizens from losing their constitutional rights after 2010. Within a few years, the poorly functioning rule of law was replaced by an autocratic power that ostensibly respected the legal framework but used legislation as a tool. Independent institutions, which had previously been relied upon by legal defenders, increasingly failed to fulfill their constitutional duties. People had to get used to a series of state hate campaigns, those who opposed the authorities were silenced, most of the press became part of the state propaganda machine, and elections are no longer free and fair political contests.

It is particularly difficult that all this appears to be happening legally: the government is trying to make illegal measures legal by changing the law. Therefore, we can no longer rely solely on legislation and the courts; we must confront the state with universal and unchangeable norms, the human rights to which everyone is entitled, and we must also draw the attention of citizens to these. Due to the increasingly limited legal options, the work that previously remained unfinished has become even more important: encouraging as many people as possible to take action in public life and defend their rights. It is no longer a question of defending the rule of law, but of restoring it, and this requires active citizens. That is why we have decided to place the greatest emphasis on supporting them in our new strategy, adopted in 2023, while continuing our work to protect vulnerable people and bring about systemic change. In addition, green justice has also been included in our strategy, as we recognize that the ecological crisis will have a fundamental impact on human rights. We are also seeking to expand our tools in order to achieve real change.

Meanwhile, the autocratic government began attacking human rights defenders in an unprecedented manner. Despite the government’s smear campaigns, the organization is now better known and more supported than ever. By 2024, the 30th anniversary of HCLU’s founding, we will have three regional offices outside Budapest, in Pécs, Debrecen, and Miskolc. We provide free legal aid to thousands of people every year, our informational materials are read by hundreds of thousands, and we hold dozens of workshops across the country.

Our goals remain unchanged: whatever the future may bring, we will continue to work for a more equal and free country, but we need your support to do so.