Human Rights Watch Urges Hungary to Restore Democratic Safeguards

As of April 2026, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Hungary’s new government to urgently reverse years of democratic backsliding.

This appeal follows sixteen years of rule by the Fidesz-KDNP coalition, during which power was centralized, judicial independence was weakened, and oversight institutions were undermined.

With a political transition now underway, HRW argues there is a critical window to restore democratic safeguards and align with international obligations.

Key recommendations include ending "rule by decree" by terminating long-standing states of emergency and dismantling the Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO), which has been used to intimidate journalists and civil society.

Additionally, HRW calls for restoring judicial independence to meet EU standards, ending the harassment of independent media, and repealing discriminatory laws affecting LGBT individuals and refugees.

By reversing these policies, the new administration can signal a genuine break from the previous government's anti-democratic trajectory.

Ultimately, HRW emphasizes that the government's commitment to democracy will be judged by its early actions in restoring transparency, accountability, and the fundamental rights of all citizens, marking a necessary shift back toward institutional integrity.