Hungary: New coronavirus law 'bestows unlimited powers' on Orbán government

Viktor Orbán's Government can rule by decree



People could face five years in jail for infringing sweeping new powers  



'This bill creates an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency' - David Vig



Following a decision by the Hungarian parliament to pass a new law that will allow the Government to rule by decree - without a clear end date or periodic reviews - under an extended state of emergency, David Vig, Amnesty International’s Hungary Director, said:



“This bill creates an indefinite and uncontrolled state of emergency, and gives Viktor Orbán and his Government carte blanche to restrict human rights.



“This is not the way to address the very real crisis that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.



“We need strong safeguards to ensure that any measures to restrict human rights adopted under the state of emergency are strictly necessary and proportional in order to protect public health. This new law bestows unlimited powers to the government to rule by decree beyond the pandemic.



“During his years as Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán has overseen a rollback of human rights in Hungary, stoking up hostility towards marginalised groups and attempting to muzzle Hungary’s critical voices. Allowing his government to rule by decree is likely to speed up this rollback.”



Rule by decree

The new law will allow Hungary’s Government to rule by decree without a sunset clause or any other provision that would guarantee parliament can exercise proper oversight. It also creates two new crimes which would mean that anyone who publicises false or distorted facts that interfere with the “successful protection” of the public, or that “alarm or agitate” the public, could be punished by up to five years in prison. Anyone who interferes with the operation of a quarantine or isolation order could also face a prison sentence of up to five years, a punishment that increases to eight years if anyone dies as a result.



Amnesty is warning that these measures are inconsistent with international human rights law and standards. Plans for the new law were criticised last week by the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, the International Press Institute, and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.