Hungarian civil society is facing a direct threat that affects its mere existence as the Stop Soros legislative package will make it possible for the government to simply ban the activity of organisations that assist refugees and immigrants, they said. 

“Strong and independent civil society organisations are as essential for democracy and the rule of law as strong and independent universities.

If NGOs such as the Hungarian Helsinki Committee are threatened, democracy is threatened,” the statement reads.

Those who signed the document have called on their respective governments, universities and the EU to take action without delay to prevent this human rights violation.