US Ambassador Sounds Alarm on "Sovereignty Protection" Bill
U.S. Ambassador to Hungary David Pressman
Courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Hungary
The U.S. Ambassador to Hungary said a proposal by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to target media and civic groups was potentially “very dangerous” as the leader prepares to unveil the latest crackdown on independent institutions, according to Bloomberg News.
Orbán’s government has signaled it will move ahead with a “sovereignty protection” package targeting foreign-funded political groups, media and NGOs, with potential prison terms for those who run afoul.
Although the cabinet pledged to unveil details this week, it has yet to file the legislation with parliament.
“To the extent that this bill may seek to criminalize and or intimidate independent civil society and media organizations, that is very dangerous, and I hope that’s not the path that Hungary chooses to go down,” Ambassador David Pressman told reporters.
He said the United States would take a “close look” at the bill once it is published.
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