No Country Was Built On Blacklists

The draft law submitted by the ruling party on Tuesday is nothing but an authoritarian attempt to hold on to their power. Its aim is to silence all critical voices and eliminate what remains of Hungarian democracy once and for all. The draft is an attack on remaining independent organisations more serious than ever: it is not only aimed at civil society organisations (CSOs) and the media, but also companies and individuals, and practically everyone who wants to live in a free and democratic country.

It says a lot about the nature of current ruling power that it views those who are committed to these values as a threat. They believe that good media should do nothing but repeat the propaganda messages, and that good CSOs shouldn’t represent social interests other than those of the authoritarian power. In the eyes of the government, a good citizen is one who has no opinion and does not think for him/herself on social issues – those who do are tagged as serving foreign interests. 

But this cynical argument which only defends the arbitrary power of the authorities goes against the opinion of the majority society. It is extremely important that there is still an independent media and civil society in Hungary that is doing its utmost to continue the work they do for the benefit of all of us with tireless enthusiasm despite the difficulties. We need those who do not gloss over social problems, but make them visible and work to solve them, so that Hungary can be a better place for all of us. We need those who believe in freedom of expression, the rule of law, a free press, and accountability. We need people who care about social justice. Who want to read real news, not propaganda. Who want to live in a country where the law is not for repression, but for freedom. We know they are in the majority, and that is what the government fears.

Democracy, public participation and social action do not threaten Hungary's sovereignty - rather the government threatens Hungarian democracy. The government is using its power to spread lies, silence its opponents, incite hatred and divide the country. We have watched this long process in Russia, where Putin has also eliminated critical, independent actors one after the other, and today we can see the results. 

We are here to stay – Hungary is our country. We do not ask for permission to help those in need, to act for the common good, to write the news, to stand up for those in need, to participate in shaping our own lives, and we do not ask for permission to criticise when we disagree with something. 

But we ask you to stand with us. Support CSOs and the media, assign 1% of your income taxes, make regular donations to organisations you care about or like. Speak to your neighbours, make your voice heard on social media and be there for us in your daily lives, because together we are many, far more than those who cling to power for their own benefit ‘til the end.

 

Civilizáció koalíció

Alternatív Közösségek Egyesülete

Amnesty International Magyarország

Artemisszió Alapítvány

Autonómia Alapítvány

Civil Kollégium Alapítvány

Cromo Alapítvány 

Demokratikus Ifjúságért Alapítvány

Dialóg Egyesület

Emberi Jogi Nevelők Hálózata (EJHA)

Emberség Erejével Alapítvány

Energiaklub Szakpolitikai Intézet

Fertő tó Barátai Egyesület

Greenpeace Magyarország Egyesület

Gyökerek és Szárnyak Alapítvány

Habitat for Humanity Magyarország

Háttér Társaság

Haver Alapítvány

Heti Betevő

Humán Platform

Jogriporter Alapítvány

K-Monitor Közhasznú Egyesület

Közélet Iskolája

Közösségfejlesztők Egyesülete

Labrisz Leszbikus Egyesület

Levegő Munkacsoport

Magyar Helsinki Bizottság

Magyarországi Európa Társaság

Magyarországi Terre des hommes Alapítvány "Lausanne"

Menedék - Migránsokat Segítő Egyesület

MENŐK Magyar Európai Nők Fóruma Egyesület

Mérték Médiaelemző Műhely

MASZK Egyesület (Szeged)

Nagy Tavak és Vizes Élőhelyek Szövetsége

Nyomtass Te Is!

Partners Hungary Alapítvány

Political Capital

Szociális Munkások Magyarországi Egyesülete

Uccu Roma informális Oktatási Alapítvány 

Utcáról Lakásba! Egyesület

Védegylet Egyesület

Ökotárs Alapítvány

Tanítanék Mozgalom

Társaság a Szabadságjogokért

Transparency International Magyarország

 

Átlátszó

Debreciner

Direkt36

Élet és Irodalom 

Jelen

KecsUP

Klubrádió

Lakmusz

Magyar Hang

Magyar Jeti / 444

Magyar Narancs

Media1

Mozgó Világ 

Népszava

Nyugat.hu

Partizán

Qubit

Szeged.hu

Szeged Televízió 

Telex

Tilos Rádió 

Válasz Online

Veszprém Kukac