Hungary
Hungary
Right | Section | Contents |
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Freedom of Association | History | The first assertion of the right of association in Hungary is the 1949 Constitution, ratified on August 20. The right is found in Chapter 8, Article 56 (“1949 Hungarian Constitution”, 1949). 1949. 1949 Hungarian Constitution. August 20. https://lapa.princeton.edu/hosteddocs/hungary/1949%20Hungarian%20constitution.pdf. |
Freedom of Expression | History | Hungary’s declaration of independence in 1791 included freedom of expression through the press in Article 1 of Law 18. During its time as a Communist nation, it granted freedom of press, speech, and assembly — but not explicitly expression. The current Fundamental Law of Hungary guarantees freedom of expression in Article 9.
References: Herbert F. Wright. Constitutions of the States at War 1914-1918 (1919). https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/stwar0001&id=41&men_tab=srchresults English translation of the Hungarian original text of the Constitution of 1949, 669 (2013) https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzhu0045&id=12&men_tab=srchresults English translation of the Hungarian original text of the Constitution of 2011, 8 (2012) https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzhu0016&id=9&men_tab=srchresults |
Freedom of Religion | History | Law 20 of 1848 asserted equality among confessions in Hungary.
Article 54 of the 1949 Hungary Constitution guaranteed citizens "freedom of conscience and the right to free exercise of religion." The Fundamental Law of Hungary was ratified 18 on April 2011. The preamble distinguishes Christianity’s role in preserving nationhood. Articles 7, 9.5, 14.3, 15.2, and 37.4 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article 7 states that “[e]veryone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include the freedom to choose or change one's religion or other belief, and the freedom of everyone to manifest, abstain from manifesting, practise or teach his or her religion or other belief through religious acts, rites or otherwise, either individually or jointly with others, either in public or in private life” (constituteproject.org). References: Hungary Loi 20 de 1848: F.R. Dareste; P. Dareste. Constitutions Modernes: Recueil des Constitutions en Vigueur dans les Divers Etats d'Europe, d'Amerique et du Monde Civilise (3). https://heinonline-org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/comorcv0001&collection=cow&index=cow/comorcv516&id=516# 1949 Hungary Constitution: English translation of the Hungarian original text of the Constitution of 1949 669 (2013) Chapter 8: Rights and Duties of Citizens https://heinonline-org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzhu0045&id=12&men_tab=srchresults “Hungary 2011 (Rev. 2016) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Hungary_2016. Ministry of Justice 2017. “The Fundamental Law of Hungary.” Website of the Hungarian Government. National Assembly of Hungary , May 19, 2017. Last modified May 19, 2017. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://2015-2019.kormany.hu/download/a/68/11000/The_Fundamental_Law_of_Hungary_01072016.pdf. |
Freedom of the Press | History | Law 18 of 1848 asserted protection of freedom of the press.
Hungary protected press freedom under Article 61 of its 1949 Constitution: “The Republic of Hungary recognizes and respects the freedom of the press” (OHCHR, “Act XX of 1949” ). Article IX of the 2011 Hungarian Constitution protects press freedom: “Hungary shall recognise and protect the freedom and diversity of the press, and shall ensure the conditions for free dissemination of information necessary for the formation of democratic public opinion” (Constitute Project, “Hungary's Constitution of 2011 with Amendments through 2013” ). References: Hungary Loi 18 de 1848: F.R. Dareste; P. Dareste. Constitutions Modernes: Recueil des Constitutions en Vigueur dans les Divers Etats d'Europe, d'Amerique et du Monde Civilise (3). https://heinonline-org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/comorcv0001&collection=cow&index=cow/comorcv516&id=516# 1949 Hungary Constitution: English translation of the Hungarian original text of the Constitution of 1949 669 (2013) Chapter 8: Rights and Duties of Citizens https://heinonline-org.mutex.gmu.edu/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzhu0045&id=12&men_tab=srchresults “Hungary 2011 (Rev. 2016) Constitution.” Constitute. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Hungary_2016. |
Privacy Rights | History | The 1949 constitution was the first to include privacy rights. In Article 57, personal privacy, as well as privacy in the home and correspondence are protected: “he Hungarian People's Republic guarantees the personal freedom and privileges of the citizens, and respects the secrecy of correspondence and the inviolability of the home” (Princeton University, “CONSTITUTION of the People's Republic of Hungary - Budapest, 20th August 1949” ). In the most recent constitution from 2011, these rights are protected in Article VI (Constitute Project, “Hungary 2011 rev. 2016” ).
https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Hungary_ 2016? lang=en https://lapa.princeton.edu/hosteddocs/hungary/ 1949% 20Hungarian%20constitution.pdf |
Voting Rights and Suffrage | History | Under Articles 2 and 35, members of the National Assembly and of Local government are elected via fair and equal elections. (Constitute Project, “Hungry’s Constitution of 2011 with Amendments through 2016” ). |