The rule of law is key to a functioning democracy, sustainable economic growth and social well-being. In a democracy based on the values of the rule of law, the separation of powers ensures fundamental political and civil liberties. When rule of law prevails, legal constraints prevent arbitrary exercise of public power and thus promote transparent and democratic processes, including accountable governments, an independent and impartial judiciary, the proper functioning of checks and balances, freedom of the press and media pluralism, and effective combat against corruption.
Since 2020, the European Commission has produced its annual Rule of Law Report, which reviews the state of the rule of law in each member state. Since 2022, the Commission also makes recommendations to the member states and monitors its fulfilments.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law report examines the fulfilment of the rule of law values and mechanisms in four key areas:
- The independence of the judiciary including the independence of the courts, the prosecution service and the bar association, the quality and efficiency of the judiciary system;
- The combat against corruption and the related framework within each Member State, the institutional framework and practices for preventing and combating corruption;
- The state of media pluralism and the freedom of press including the transparent ownership structure of media, the quality and structure of public media works, and the working conditions of journalists;
- The system of checks and balances including the legislative process, the functioning of independent institutions and the situation and framework for the functioning of civil society organisations.
In its first Rule of Law Report published in 2020, the European Commission already identified serious deficiencies in all four areas in Hungary. Since then, the situation has stagnated or even worsened.
Every year, Hungarian civil society organisations, including TI Hungary, have submitted their contributions to the EC’s Rule of Law Report. As one of the most reputed Hungarian independent non-governmental organizations combating corruption, our organisation regularly draws the attention of the European Commission to systemic corruption in Hungary and the government’s role in it.
Our contributions to the Rule of Law Report and related news are listed below in chronological order.
2024
The contributions of Hungarian CSOs in English are avalable here.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report, the Country Chapter of Hungary and the Commission’s Recommendations for the Member States are available at EC’s website.
2023
Contributions of Hungarian CSOs to the European Comission’s Rule of Law Report 2023
The contributions of Hungarian CSOs in English are avalable here.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report, the Country Chapter of Hungary and the Commission’s Recommendations for the Member States are available at EC’s website.
2022
The contributions of Hungarian CSOs in English are avalable here.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report, the Country Chapter of Hungary and the Commission’s Recommendations for the Member States are available at EC’s website.
2021
New edition of NGOs’ Rule of Law report is out
The contributions of Hungarian CSOs in English are avalable here.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report, and the Country Chapter of Hungary are available at EC’s website.
2020
Substantial rule of law problems in Hungary confirmed by the Commission’s report
The contributions of Hungarian CSOs in English are avalable here.
The European Commission’s annual Rule of Law Report, and the Country Chapter of Hungary are available at EC’s website.
