Hungarian “Stop Soros” Legislation (2018)
The Hungarian "Stop Soros" legislation, enacted in June 2018, is a series of laws that aims to significantly limit support for undocumented migrants and pro-immigration organizations. Named after Hungarian-American philanthropist George Soros, a prominent figure in human rights advocacy, the legislation has been associated with Prime Minister Viktor Orban's right-wing Fidesz party and its anti-immigrant stance. The laws criminalize actions that aid undocumented migrants, imposing potential jail time for individuals providing basic resources such as food or water to these individuals.
The legislation emerged in the context of the broader European migrant crisis, which saw a significant influx of refugees from conflict zones seeking safety in Europe. Critics of the "Stop Soros" laws argue that they serve to stifle dissent and political opposition, particularly targeting left-leaning and pro-immigration groups. This crackdown on civil society has raised concerns about increasing authoritarianism and anti-Semitism in Hungary, as Orban's government has frequently positioned itself against Soros, leveraging nationalist sentiments. The passage of the law has drawn substantial criticism both domestically and internationally, leading to actions by the European Union to address potential violations of democratic norms in Hungary. Despite this backlash, the law remains in effect, reflecting the enduring power of Orban's administration and the appeal of conservative, Euroskeptic politics within the country.
Subject Terms
Hungarian “Stop Soros” Legislation (2018)
Date: June 20, 2018
Place: Hungary
Summary
In June 2018, the Hungarian parliament passed into law a series of bills that aimed to dramatically curb what proponents identify as illegal immigration. Known as a whole as the “Stop Soros” bill—so-dubbed in defiance of Hungarian American philanthropist George Soros and his support of human rights organizations—it contained language suggesting that a citizen could be jailed for aiding undocumented migrants. The xenophobic legislation, which was proposed by conservative Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban, has been criticized as a means to suppress political opponents in the context of the European migrant crisis. It has also been held as an example of growing anti-Semitism in right-wing movements worldwide.
Key Events
- 2010— Right-wing Fidesz party wins a majority in Hungarian elections, returning party leader Viktor Orban to the prime minister seat.
- 2011— Syrian Civil War begins, eventually displacing millions of people, many of whom become refugees. This wave of asylum seekers, along with others from Afghanistan, Somalia, and elsewhere, drives a growing migrant crisis in Europe.
- 2015— Orban increases anti-immigrant rhetoric; Hungary builds a fence along its borders with Serbia and Croatia borders to deter migrants.
- February 2018— Orban submits so-called Stop Soros bill to Parliament.
- 9 April 2018— Fidesz overwhelmingly wins majority in Hungarian parliament; Orban is elected prime minister for the third consecutive time.
- June 20, 2018— Stop Soros bill passed into law.
- September 12, 2018— European Union legislators vote to begin process to punish Hungary for possible violations against norms of democracy.
Status
Despite significant criticism both within Hungary and internationally, the Stop Soros legislation remained law as of late 2018. The law has been derided by critics as an attempt to provide Prime Minister Orban and the Fidesz party a legal basis to intimidate and even punish political opponents (primarily left-leaning and pro-immigration organizations and parties). In September 2018 the European Union (EU) took the unprecedented step of voting to begin procedures to punish Hungary for possibly breaking democratic principles. Despite such opposition, many European experts view Orban’s landslide reelection during the bill’s development as proof of both his hold on power and the vitality of the conservative Euroskeptic movement in general. Meanwhile, by late 2018 the flow of migrants and asylum-seekers manifest in 2015 and 2016 had slowed considerably.
In-Depth Overview
By 2015, much of Europe began to experience an influx of migrants that many considered a major humanitarian and social crisis. Conflicts in Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen, and other nations forced millions of people to seek safe haven elsewhere. Many simply crossed borders into neighboring nations, establishing makeshift refugee camps. Many others, however, sought to travel further distances to areas seen as more politically stable and economically successful. Western Europe became a major destination for these refugees, along with more traditional migrants moving for economic or other reasons. Some traveled on land, attempting to reach the European Union (EU) from the east through Turkey or the Balkans. Others took a more dangerous route across the Mediterranean Sea.
What many dubbed the European Migrant Crisis was the largest displacement of peoples since World War II. The United Nations (UN) struggled to account for all of these refugees while at the same time trying to put an end to the violence that drove them out of their homes. Considerable anti-migrant sentiment arose in many European countries, with opponents of immigration suggesting the newcomers brought negative impacts such as increased crime, lower wages, and loss of national identity. Some leaders capitalized on this backlash, with nationalist and right-wing politicians in particular gaining considerable traction with anti-immigrant platforms. A key point of many critics of the EU (Euroskeptics) was that the international organization was too encouraging of immigration.
Hungary became a prime example of such nationalist, anti-immigrant politics. After returning to power in 2010, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban moved his Fidesz political party steadily to the right. By 2015, with terrorist attacks in Europe making headlines, Orban stepped up his anti-migrant rhetoric, blaming immigrants for such attacks. That year his government built a fence along the border with Serbia and Croatia intended to keep out migrants. Despite statistics suggesting most people seeking to cross into Hungary were asylum seekers hoping to pass through to other EU countries rather than stay, Orban claimed that waves of immigrants would disrupt the Christian and ethnic makeup of the nation. He staunchly opposed EU proposals to distribute refugees between nations, winning him much popularity among the global right wing.
Critics of Orban suggested he used the migrant issue as a cover for consolidating power. His government cracked down on many humanitarian and political nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), drawing criticism from Hungarian American financier George Soros. In response, Orban (who had benefited from Soros-funded initiatives in his youth) began a propaganda campaign against Soros. In 2017, posters throughout the country depicted the philanthropist as the mastermind behind supposed plans to flood Hungary with immigrants. Many analysts saw the campaign against Soros, who is Jewish, as evidence of right-wing anti-Semitism, as well as racism against non-European migrants.
In early 2018, Orban and his Fidesz leaders filed legislation that became known as the Stop Soros bill. At the basic level, the legislation (actually a series of bills) aimed to make aiding undocumented immigrants a crime. It would make it far more difficult for pro-immigrant organizations to operate in Hungary. For example, it would allow police to arrest and jail for up to one year any Hungarian who gives food or water to an undocumented immigrant. Legislative experts and human rights activists argued that the bill’s verbiage would also allow authorities wide power to crack down on opposition groups and activists in general. Despite domestic and international protest, the bill passed overwhelmingly in June 2018, just two months after Orban won a third consecutive term as prime minister.
Key Figures
Viktor Orban: Prime minister of Hungary
George Soros: Hungarian American philanthropist and human rights advocate
Bibliography
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