Freedom House: Hungary not ‘Free’ anymore

Freedom House has published their research into the rate of democratic and political freedom all across the globe again – Hungary’s status from ‘Free’ has been changed to ‘Partly Free’.

Freedom House has published its global ranking for the thirteenth time, this time, dedicating a separate chapter to discuss the attacks on American democracy in the past years, given that the USA scored 86 this time, but ten years ago 94.

Freedom House has looked into altogether 195 countries, out of which 86 were listed as ‘Free’, 59 as ‘Partly Free’ and 50 as ‘Not Free’.

“In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has presided over one of the most dramatic declines ever charted by Freedom House within the European Union” – Freedom House

Last year, Hungary scored 72, however in the latest survey, only 70, which means that it has declined from ‘Free’ to ‘Not Free’, due to the manner in which Viktor Orbán and the Fidesz government attacks the press, universities, researchers, the academia, civil organisations, NGOs, asylum seekers, the courts and the private sector since 2010. In the 2018 elections, Orbán’s and Fidesz’s place was secured through years of careful and methodical work invested in undermining criticism in the media and civil circles.

Freedom House highlights that a series of demonstrations have begun at the end of 2018: the protesters demand that Orbán steps down.

The organisation states that the way democratic institutions suffered and were destroyed by antidemocratic leadership in Hungary is similar to the situation in Venezuela and Turkey. Irresponsible antidemocratic rhetoric is just the beginning of the restriction on freedom.

When concluding the report, Freedom House accused Orbán and Mohammad bin Salman of representing a threat to human liberty, reminding readers that their abuses should not be overlooked and such leaders must be held responsible for their actions.

You can find the full report HERE.

photos: freedomhouse.org

Source: freedomhouse.org