Hungary's Constitutional Amendments Threaten Rule of Law

On April 17, 2025, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that recent amendments to Hungary's Fundamental Law represent a significant escalation in the government's efforts to undermine rights, the rule of law, and democracy. These changes have raised alarm among human rights organizations and the international community.

Overview of the Constitutional Amendments

The Hungarian Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's ruling Fidesz-KDNP coalition, passed sweeping legal changes to the country's constitution on April 14, 2025. These amendments were rushed through parliament without public debate and signed by the president on the same day. Key provisions include:

• Definition of Gender: The amendments define gender strictly as a person’s biological sex assigned at birth, effectively denying transgender identities and further entrenching Hungary’s ban on legal gender recognition.
• Child Protection Supremacy: The amendments elevate “child protection” above all other constitutional rights except the right to life, granting the government broad latitude to invoke “child protection” to curtail rights, including freedom of assembly. This is linked to a March amendment that bans Pride-related events.
• Suspension of Citizenship: The amendments allow for the suspension of Hungarian citizenship for dual nationals from non-European Economic Area countries deemed to pose a threat to public order, public safety, or national security.

Implications for Human Rights and Democracy

HRW has expressed deep concern that these amendments pose serious threats to LGBTQ+ individuals, freedom of assembly, and the rights of some Hungarians with dual citizenship. The organization views these changes as further evidence of the Orbán government’s authoritarian drive to consolidate political power, undermining the rule of law, equality, and democracy in blatant violation of EU law.

International Response

The European Union has already raised serious concerns about the rule of law in Hungary, including under the ongoing Article 7 procedure and through setting conditions for EU funding. HRW urges EU institutions and member states to immediately move Article 7 proceedings forward to a vote and initiate new infringement proceedings against Hungary for these repressive constitutional amendments violating fundamental rights.

For more detailed information, refer to the original HRW report: Hungary: Fundamental Law Changes Attack Rule of Law, Rights