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Hungary's right wing government cracks down on "liberal" NGO's.
Hungarian inspectors raid Norway aid ngos
Hungarian inspectors on Monday raided nongovernmental organisations in Budapest that administer development aid from Norway and forced them to hand over documents to auditors. Hungary's right-wing government claims 13 grantees, including minority rights groups, corruption watchdogs and an investigative journalism website are "tied to the political leftwing".
http://euobserver.com/tickers/124451
Hungarian inspectors on Monday raided nongovernmental organisations in Budapest that administer development aid from Norway and forced them to hand over documents to auditors. Hungary's right-wing government claims 13 grantees, including minority rights groups, corruption watchdogs and an investigative journalism website are "tied to the political leftwing".
http://euobserver.com/tickers/124451
Since coming to power in 2010, Orban's government has often been accused of trying to curb press freedom, weaken independent institutions, and undermine the rule of law.
Some in the NGO community believe the attack on the Norway Grants programme means now they are the next target, something the government denies. However on Monday, agents from the Control Office (KEHI) raided the offices of three NGOs that help Norway disburse its aids.
EU affairs minister Helgesen told Reuters on Monday (June 2) that his country would continue funding the grants and carry out its own audit, due in the autumn. He added that Budapest had agreed to the terms of the funding scheme it is now criticising.
"There is a shared European concern about the weakening of democratic institutions and processes (in Hungary), such as the constitutional court, the legal system, the electoral commission and of course the space for the media and others to enjoy the freedom of expression. There are infringements here that are cause for concern,” said Helgesen, noting that it would not be in Oslo’s interest to support any individual party.
http://euobserver.com/eu-elections/124478
Right wing governments are sure sensitive about the work of NGO's. Can't have too many folks promoting minority rights, investigating corruption or other government abuses. Those damn Norwegian liberals are trying to make life difficult for good ol' conservatives in Hungary.
