The Guardian: Viktor Orbán threatens the rule of law
The Guardian reports on the state of justice in Hungary. The British paper believes that the Hungarian government has too much influence over the judiciary, which is adding to concerns about the rule of law in Hungary. The Guardian cites a statement by a Hungarian judge as it examines the Hungarian court system.
Guardian article on the Hungarian judiciary
The British newspaper Guardian wrote an article on the impact of the Hungarian government on the judiciary. The Guardian Observer, citing a statement by a Hungarian judge, evaluates the Hungarian court system.
Csaba Vasvári has been a judge for 18 years. He is the spokesman for the National Council for the Judiciary. This organisation fights to defend the independence of judges. Vasvári told The Tap that he and his colleagues “have been witnessing external and internal influence attempts” for years.
Vasvári believes that political excesses come from all sides of the political spectrum. But Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party Fidesz have ruled with a majority government for 12 years. Vasvári also mentioned a specific case. It involved a conversation between senior court officials with a key suspect in a corruption case, according to redacted secret documents leaked to the Hungarian media.
At the centre of the case was Pál Völner, a Fidesz MEP and former Deputy Minister of Justice. Völner was accused of accepting bribes, but he denies the charges. The judge appointed by the Fidesz-controlled parliament made a strange decision. The judicial inquiry into the case remains secret, not only from the public but also from fellow judges.
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Judge Vasvári also complains that the President of the National Office for the Judiciary (NCOJ) does not make judicial appointments transparent. The President of the Court is responsible, among other things, for the management of the Hungarian court system. This is too much power, according to the European Commission and the European Council.
It is also worrying that relatively unqualified friends and family members of politicians hold senior positions in the court system, the article says.
Sensitive issues, many enemies
One judge, who did not want to be named, said the majority of cases are fair. But politically sensitive cases are handled in court by a “loyal panel of judges who will make decisions in favour of the government.”
“In the normal court [as a judge] you can struggle, you can try to be independent, you can do your best, but you know there is a leak in the system where there is water coming out,” the judge said. Asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ people, NGOs and independent media are the enemies of the Orbán government. That is why they are often put on the spot in the legislature, Index.hu writes.
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Source: index.hu, the Guardian
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10 Comments
If Hungary went to the European Union and informed they wish to go Euro, what a complex decision, for Hungary this would be.
We know, living in Hungary, the “other” member countrys of the European Union plus the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Globally – the interference – control & management – that the present Fidesz led Government of Hungary, under the present Prime Minister of Hungary – Victor Orban – through a DICTATORIAL driven power agenda – “wields”.
The European Union hearing Hungary “considering” going Euro, could reply.
We will listen Hungary, but to go to the next stage of your currency change, we need YOU Hungary to – re-sign MEMBERSHIP Documentation – that the following – will be Practiced & Exercised.
(1) – with-drawal of your control & influence over the Judiciary – the system in Hungary.
(2) – with-drawal of your control & influence over ALL forms of Media in Hungary.
The conundrum – Hungary, we have been placed in, by this present Victor Orban “dictatorial” Government.
The “zoning in” by International media – “striking” whilst we are Tumbling as a country Economically & Financially – this would be another penertrating “spear & arrow” piercing into, the name Hungary.
Troubled times we live and are are ahead of us.
To stablize the declining rapidness “broadsheet” across Hungary – the impact these FORCES are having on our quality of life – Intimidating.
Solidarity – in the OPPOSITION partys – could TRY that.
OTHERWISE – the “Nadir” – of the downward trend we are on as a country, the end result – ABOMINABLE.
Embatteled, what is wrong with you? You seem to long for EUSSR.
Hungary should not allow the EU, the left or anyone else blackmail the country.
Embatteled is smoking dangerous stuff. He is high
Travelling well is Hungary ///
Sven Svensson – happy to denounce “others” opinions.
Whats your “MAGIC” pill then to stop the “Nadir” refered by Embattled ???
No surprises here.
I was sure that most well-informed Europeans, AND Hungarians, would be well aware of just how much influence (read: control) the Orban Government has over Hungary’s judiciary and the media.
What else is new?
@A Horvath, when Hungary joined the EU it signed a Treaty, a legally binding agreement. Within that that Treaty, the core principles of the EU are clearly stated and the signatory country agrees to abide by those principles, the independence of the judiciary being one of them. No one is blackmailing Hungary, instead Hungary is being told, ‘look you willingly signed up to this legally binding agreement, a contract, now you have to stick by the terms of the contract.
Post Modern – Concur.
It continues to ASTOUND me – that across ALL the “Stations in Life” that make up the 9.6 million population of Hungary, what Post Modern SIMPLE communicates – is WHY – the Hungarian relationship with the European Union – remains – in a PERILOUS postion.
The EU is a joke rushing towards a great Reset. When you are in power for 12 years you great power over every aspect of the goverment. The worlds once greatest cites are a clown show along with the most powerful law enforcement agencies. 8 years under One president has corrupted them all along with the most powerful media organizations and tech firms and the the whole Covid events should tell you everything you want to know. No one in the EU seem to question how Covid got started and the US funding a lab in China and the US silence could not be discussed along with removed from social media. Several states ignored the BB pushed- schools weren’t closed – business closed just to a few and have done better than those that did- the EU thinks it all started in fish market in China- no need to question anything – of coarse you could loose your job- still if you don’t follow their rules you could be destroyed just for refusing the vax- the US media controls all in the western World.
DNH followed along and not to question, that is understandable with there size.
You might learn something from your little country to speak up. The fact they shut down business here is shameful, but understandable.
@ Post Modern,
It was about time someone here made it as clear as bell to all those who think that the EU is the bad guy who’s trying to rob Hungary of it’s sovereignity, and (to some) anything and everything Hungarian – You have, thank you.