(Brussels, October 13, 2025) – The upcoming meeting of European Union member states on October 21 presents a critical opportunity to confront the alarming erosion of the rule of law in Hungary. Human Rights Watch urges a decisive vote to assess whether Hungary is at risk of a serious breach of EU treaty values, as Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government continues its relentless assault on democratic principles.
The Hungarian government has made it abundantly clear: it intends to dismantle judicial independence and suppress dissent while masquerading its authoritarian tendencies as a defense of national sovereignty. Iskra Kirova, Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, aptly captures this moment, stating, “EU member states should stop delaying and hold a vote under the article 7 rule of law procedure to defend the Union’s core values before the situation deteriorates further.” The time for action is now; to procrastinate is to enable further degradation of democracy.
Article 7 stands as the EU’s most potent instrument to address grave breaches of its foundational values. Yet, since its initial invocation by the European Parliament in 2018, the Hungarian government has shown nothing but contempt for this process and the obligations it entails. This contempt is manifest in a series of sweeping constitutional amendments enacted by the Hungarian parliament in recent months, which have curtailed fundamental freedoms, including the right to assembly and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Under the guise of “child protection,” the government has banned public LGBTQ+ events, including the iconic Budapest Pride, a move that is as insidious as it is blatant. The government’s actions have escalated, employing facial recognition technology against participants and pursuing criminal charges against local officials who dare to support these events. Such steps exemplify a dangerous trajectory toward state-sanctioned oppression—an affront to the very fabric of equality and human rights.
The proposed “transparency of public life” bill further threatens civil society and independent media. This legislation would empower the government-appointed Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO) to investigate and dismantle organizations deemed “foreign-influenced,” imposing intrusive audits and punitive fines. Though the bill has been temporarily paused due to domestic outrage and international scrutiny, the government’s insistence on reviving it underscores a chilling commitment to silencing dissent.
Independent institutions and media are already under siege. High-profile cases of political interference in the judiciary reveal a troubling pattern of dismissals of judges who dare to critique the government’s actions. This is not merely an attack on individual rights; it is an attack on the very principles of justice and fairness that underpin democratic governance.
The SPO has taken its authoritarian reach even further, targeting journalists and media outlets with smear campaigns based on unfounded accusations of serving foreign interests. In July, the SPO identified 500 EU-funded organizations, including reputable institutions like the Helsinki Committee and Central European University, as part of a so-called “foreign-financed political pressure network.” This strategy of labeling dissent as foreign influence serves only to stifle critical voices and entrench the grip of power.
European institutions are not oblivious to Hungary’s violations. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) is expected to rule in an infringement case concerning Hungary’s 2021 anti-LGBT propaganda law, while another case over the 2023 Defence of National Sovereignty Act is also underway. Moreover, an astonishing €18 billion in EU funds remain frozen, a testament to the gravity of Hungary’s rule of law concerns. Yet, words without action signal a weakness in the EU’s resolve to uphold its own values.
The recent declaration by an unprecedented majority of 20 EU member states condemning Hungary’s ban on LGBTQ+ events highlights the growing recognition of the need for accountability. However, this recognition must translate into concrete action, or it risks being rendered meaningless.
Article 7 presents a pathway for the EU Council to take a stand, requiring only a 4/5th majority of member states to identify a serious risk of a breach of EU treaty values. The Council must not hesitate; it must issue clear, time-bound recommendations to Hungary. Failure to implement these recommendations should lead to advancing sanctions to preserve the integrity of EU treaties and the fundamental values upon which the EU was founded.
Kirova’s assertion rings true: “Despite the continued systematic and well-documented breakdown in the rule of law in Hungary, the EU Council has for seven years repeatedly failed to take any concrete steps under article 7.” The time for rhetoric is over; it is imperative that the EU utilizes its treaty provisions to protect democracy, human rights, and equality against the encroaching tide of authoritarianism. If the EU fails to act, it risks losing its moral authority and abandoning those who look to it as a beacon of hope in the fight for justice.
This article highlights the importance of TO EUROPEAN VALUES.
