Fundamental rights in Hungary: MEPs call for triggering Article 7

In a plenary session of the European Parliament (EP) on the 17 May 2017 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted a resolution which suggested that the situation in Hungary justified the triggering of the Article 7 procedure which might result in sanctions for Hungary.

The MEPs were concluding a plenary debate from April 2017. They concluded that Hungary’s current fundamental rights situation justified launching the formal procedure to determine whether there was a 'clear risk of a serious breach' of EU values by a Member State.

The Resolution called for:

+ the launching of Article 7(1). MEPs instructed the EP Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to draw up a formal resolution for a plenary vote
+ the Hungarian Government to repeal laws tightening rules against asylum-seekers and non-governmental organisations, and to reach an agreement with the US authorities, making it possible for Central European University to remain in Budapest as a free institution
+ the European Commission to strictly monitor the use of EU funds by the Hungarian Government.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Debate on legal issues relating to Hungary (European Parliament, 26 April 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/debate-on-legal-issues-relating-to-hungary/

EUObserver, 16.05.17: MEPs preparing to crack down on Orban https://euobserver.com/political/137928

Politico, 17.05.17: MEPs slam Hungary, call on EU to explore sanctions http://www.politico.eu/article/meps-slam-hungary-call-on-eu-to-explore-sanctions/

Deutsche Welle, 09.05.17: Hungarian MEP decries 'EU's double standards http://p.dw.com/p/2cdUh

Reuters, 17.05.17: European Parliament chastises Hungary on rights, eyes sanctions process http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-hungary-idUSKCN18D1LX

Reuters, 17.05.17: Hungary's foreign minister says European Parliament resolution a 'new attack by Soros network' http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-hungary-resolution-idUSKCN18D1WI

EUObserver, 17.05.17: MEPs vote to start democracy probe on Hungary https://euobserver.com/political/137943

Politico, 18.05.17: Orbán’s (big) mouth http://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-big-mouth-zoltan-kovacs-hungary-government/

Politico, 16.05.17: Support for Hungary sanctions builds among MEPs http://www.politico.eu/article/support-for-hungary-sanctions-builds-among-meps/

The Budapest Times, 15.05.17: In defence of the homeland http://budapesttimes.hu/2017/05/15/in-defence-of-the-homeland/

Euro|Topics: Debates, May 2017: Rule of law in Hungary under scrutiny http://www.eurotopics.net/en/179456/rule-of-law-in-hungary-under-scrutiny

Hungarian Spectrum, 18.05.17: Is it time for Viktor Orbán to choose sides? http://hungarianspectrum.org/2017/05/18/is-it-time-for-viktor-orban-to-choose-sides/

Hungarian Spectrum, 17.05.17: A European Union first: Article 7(1) on the table http://hungarianspectrum.org/2017/05/17/a-european-union-first-article-71-on-the-table/

Deutsche Welle, 22.05.17: Thousands rally in Budapest against government education law http://p.dw.com/p/2dLJr

ECFR: Commentary, 13.04.18: Orbán 3.0: What to expect next http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_orban_3.0_what_to_expect_next

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