We’re staying–for all of us. We stood up against the proposed purge law in Budapest, Pécs, Miskolc, and Szeged.

Today in four major hungarian cities–in Budapest, Pécs, Miskolc, and Szeged we organized coordinated demonstrations to defend democracy, transparency, and civic participation. The shared message of the speeches was clear:

We’re here for you – We’re with you – We’re staying because of you

Participants protested a bill submitted late Tuesday night, which they say is a direct attack on civil society, independent journalism, and active citizen participation. As was said:

“Hungary needs its civil society. It needs a vibrant, pluralistic democratic public sphere and dialogue.”

According to civil organizations, the bill’s aim is unmistakable: to silence those who stand up for truth and take on social responsibility. As Veronika Móra, Director of Ökotárs Foundation, stated:

“They ask us to analyse and explain the bill submitted late Tuesday night. We believe that’s pointless – because this proposal, this purge law, is malicious to its core, deeply cynical, and serves one purpose only: to starve, suffocate, and cut off all resources from those who raise their voices or dare to criticize power.”

David Víg emphasized:

“We don’t ask for permission to help those in need, to stand up for the vulnerable, or to take part in shaping our own lives.”

According to him, the proposal follows the example of countries that have already sought to destroy their civil spheres – such as Russia, Georgia, Zimbabwe, and Peru.

But Hungarian civil actors made one thing clear:

“It won’t work. We’re staying – because Hungary is our country and our home.”

These demonstrations are not the final step in resistance. Organizers will continue the collective work to uphold the rule of law, human rights, and free civic participation.

More than 300 civil organizations, media outlets, and companies have already joined the joint statement. Further signatories — including NGOs, media, companies, and unions — are welcome via this link!

Download the video recording of the press conference here.

SPEECHES

Veronika Móra – Director, Ökotárs Foundation (Budapest)

We’re here for you – We’re with you – We’re staying because of you.

We’re staying – for all of us. Because Hungary needs civil society. It needs a colorful, pluralistic democratic public life and debate, because this is what advances our shared causes. Hungary needs people and communities who stand by the vulnerable, defend rights, debunk lies, and speak out against injustice, abuse, and environmental destruction.

They ask us to analyse and explain the bill submitted Tuesday night. We believe it’s unnecessary and pointless–because this proposal, this purge law, is fundamentally malicious, deeply cynical, and serves a single goal: to completely starve and suffocate, to cut off all resources from those who speak out or criticize those in power. To suppress civil society and the independent press through administrative means, surveillance, and harassment, and above all: to intimidate people and scare them away from participating in public matters, taking action, or protesting.

It says a lot about today’s hungarian government that it sees a threat in those who are committed to democratic values.

In their eyes, “good” media echoes propaganda, and a “good” civil organization serves not the people but authoritarian power.

A “good” citizen, according to them, is someone who ignores problems, has no opinion, and doesn’t think independently – and if someone does, they must be serving foreign interests. But democracy, civic engagement, and social action do not threaten Hungary’s sovereignty. It is this government that endangers democracy, by spreading lies, silencing opponents, fueling hatred, and dividing the nation.

You ask what can be done now?

The short answer: Stand with us.

Support civil organizations and independent media. Offer 1% of your tax, set up a recurring donation to a cause or group you care about. Talk to your neighbors, speak up on social media, and stand by us in everyday life, because together, we are many, far more than those clinging to power for their own benefit.

And we want you to know, we’re not stopping here: We will keep organizing and standing together with all our fellow signatories.

Dávid Víg – Director, Amnesty International Hungary (Budapest)

Hungary – our shared homeland, where we each have a role.

We work to keep our water clean and drinkable, to ensure the press tells the truth, and so that
our children can grow up happy.

It is our calling to make sure everyone has a home, that public funds aren’t stolen, and that our
affairs are judged by independent courts.

These are the responsibilities of the government too.

But the difference between us and the government is that while we work on our public issues, they focus on us.

They fear those who expose the truth, they fear those who offer real solutions to real problems. Like the Civilisation Coalition’s member organizations, which help hundreds of thousands of people every year, and like the independent press, which brings real news to millions every day.

This is why the government now wants to silence us and everyone who values the truth, because hardly anyone believes their propaganda anymore. They know people want safety, freedom, equality, and prosperity, and because they can’t provide these things, they want to silence those who remind us of their failure and those who show us how Hungary could be a safer, happier place – for everyone.

We’ve seen this before elsewhere: the bill was inspired by Putin’s regime, and bears clear traces of Georgia’s anti-civil legislation. Similar laws were recently passed in Zimbabwe and in Peru too, they are aiming to cut off civil society funding, preventing victims of abuse from receiving help, and stop investigative journalists from working. What these governments have in common is that they fear those who speak the truth.

But we have bad news for those governments and good news for the people of Hungary: It won’t work. We’re staying, because Hungary is our country and our home.

We deal with public matters: we repealed the anti-NGO law in 2017, we defeated the exclusionary 2022 referendum, and prevented the Orban family from hiding their wealth from the public. We will not back down now. That’s why civil society is needed, that’s why independent media is needed.

Hard times are ahead for all of us. But as the government can’t erase reality, they can’t erase us either. So we ask everyone: support the organizations working for all of us and don’t let fear instead of facts shape your life.

There are good examples to follow: In Slovakia, a wave of nationwide protests rose up against a similar law. In Bulgaria, civil society, academia, and the business sector joined forces to block anti-civil legislation.

We’re staying – Hungary is our home. We don’t ask for permission to help the vulnerable, to act for the common good, to publish the truth, to stand by those in need, to shape our own lives, and we do not ask permission to criticise if we disagree with something.

You ask what you can do if this bill makes you angry. The short answer: Stand with us. Support civil society and the media, offer 1% of your taxes, set up a regular donation to the groups that matter to you. We can and should talk to our neighbours, our friends, and make our voices heard on social media! And be there with us in everyday life, because together, we are many, far more than those who cling to power only for themselves.

At the end of the event, Kata Sándor from CKA read the joint statement of civil organizations:

A Civil Is Someone Who…

…keeps watch over how your tax money is spent, and calls out corruption.

…provides legal help when the state fails you.

…protects forests, fields, and waters.

…stands by you when child protection authorities unjustly remove your child.

…organizes community events in your village.

…fights for women to receive equal pay.

…leads litter-picking walks in your neighborhood.

…helps homeless people find housing.

…offers legal aid at protests.

…guides people through the maze of disinformation.

…stands up to abuses of power.

…represents you in court — for free.

…defends fired teachers.

…fights for clean drinking water.

…shares Roma culture in schools.

…defends freedom of speech.

…believes families come in many forms.

…offers free, anonymous HIV testing.

…runs mental health helplines.

…shares their expertise to build a livable country.

…works for clean air in cities.

…tells you how to heat your home without poisoning the air.

…fights to end school segregation.

…helps Ukrainian refugee families integrate.

…organizes hiking clubs for refugee youth.

…runs afterschool programs in villages.

…tutors disadvantaged kids.

…brings news to the most remote villages.

…knows that even the convicted have rights.

…won’t abandon children in state care.

…serves warm meals to the elderly.

…fights for every child who’s slipping through the cracks.

…builds communities.

…saves green space from concrete.

…holds polluting factories accountable.

…stands with you when you face injustice.

…teaches human rights in schools.

…leads prevention workshops for teens.

…supports kids facing bullying at school.

…answers young people’s questions about sex — without judgment.

…teaches students how to argue respectfully.

…maps the luxury hotels built by Orbán’s regime.

…doesn’t just talk about democracy — they live it.

…won’t stay silent when your freedoms are under attack.

…raises awareness, educates, and unites.

…shows you causes you never knew you cared about.

…supports you when you feel alone.

…believes in you and believes you.