Hungary’s parliament has approved a law imposing strict regulations on foreign-funded non-government organisations. Th e new rules increase reporting requirements for the groups, which risk closure for non-compliance. Critics say the move is a crackdown on independent voices and an attempt to stigmatise the organisations. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused foreign-funded NGOs, in particular those supported by American billionaire George Soros, of domestic interference. Groups receiving more than €24,000 ($26,000; £21,000) will have to register as “foreign-supported organisation”. Mr Orban’s government says the measures aim at improving transparency and fi ghting money laundering and terrorism funding.
But the rules are seen as targeting Hungarian-born Mr Soros, who for decades has given away billions of dollars to promote a liberal, “open society” culture, and has founded the prestigious Central European University. Mr Soros is seen by Mr Orban as an ideological enemy. Th e law, passed by 130 votes to 44, resembles legislation introduced in Russia in 2012 requiring NGOs to call themselves “foreign agents” if they get any foreign funding, which led to a ban on Soros foundations. Human rights group Amnesty International said the Hungarian law was a “vicious and calculated assault on civil society”, while Human Rights Watch considered it an attempt of “silencing critical voices in society”
