Hungary

[HU] Act against Incitement to Hatred

IRIS 2004-1:1/43

Márk Lengyel

Körmendy-Ékes & Lengyel Consulting, Budapest

In December 2003, the Hungarian Parliament adopted an amendment of the Penal Code with a narrow majority of votes (184 to 180). The aim of the amending act is to further extend the criminal liability related to incitement to hatred against any group of individuals.

The amendment was a source of constitutional debates. According to opponents of the proposal, the new act would disproportionally limit freedom of expression.

Given these concerns, the President of the Republic - without signing it - decided to submit the approved act to the Constitutional Court for examination. Now it depends on the judgement of this forum whether the new act will enter into force or not.