The Importance of Not Being Arcovazzi

Notice sent to Viktor Orbán’s government over law that could force closure of institution founded by U.S. billionaire. [Read more].

• Daniel Boffey, EU takes legal action against Hungary over Soros-backed university, The Guardian, April 26, 2017

A demonstration in support of Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: Zurab Kurtsikidze/EPA.

The Ghost in the Machine

Rector of Central European University hopeful EU will launch infringement proceedings against Orbán government. [Read more].

• Daniel Boffey, University chief appeals for EU help to fight Hungarian clampdown, The Guardian, April 25, 2017

People protest in support of Central European University in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: László Balogh/Reuters.

Vétó

Demonstrators call for president to veto legislation passed by parliament targeting Central European University Tens of thousands of people have protested in Budapest against legislation that could force the Central European University, founded by the financier George Soros, to move out of Hungary. A bill passed in parliament by the ruling rightwing Fidesz party of the prime minister, Viktor Orbán, a critic of liberal civil organisations funded by Soros, targeted CEU by setting out numerous conditions under which it must operate. The bill has led to criticism from hundreds of leading academics worldwide as well as the U.S. government and EU. [Read more].

• Reuters, Thousands protest in Hungary over threat to Soros university, The Guardian, April 9, 2017

Tens of thousands of Hungarians have protested against the bill passed by the ruling rightwing party. Photo: László Balogh/Reuters.

The Blue Danube

The Hungarian leader’s latest target is Budapest’s critical, multicultural Central European University. His illiberal ideology must not be allowed to spread. [Read more].

• Cas Mudde, The EU has tolerated Viktor Orbán for too long. It has to take a stand now, The Guardian, April 3, 2017

“Central European University (CEU) is everything Viktor Orbán detests: it is critical, global, independent, and multicultural”, writes Cas Mudde. Photo: Attila Kisbenedek/AFP/Getty Images.

Aufseherinnen

The camera operator for a Hungarian nationalist television channel who was filmed kicking two refugee children and tripping up a man near the border village of Röszke is facing a criminal investigation. Hungarian prosecutors said a criminal case for breach of the peace has been opened against Petra László of N1TV, an internet-based channel closely linked to Hungary’s far-right Jobbik party. [Read more].

• Nadia Khomami, Hungarian camera operator who kicked refugees faces criminal investigation, The Guardian, September 10, 2015

This video grab made on September 9 shows Hungarian camerawoman Petra László kicking a refugee young girl as she is running away with other migrants from a police line during disturbances at Roszke, southern Hungary.

Responsibility for the Holocaust

BUDAPEST – L’emergenza migranti si aggrava ancora: dopo che ieri il vertice straordinario di Bruxelles si è chiuso senza un accordo sulle quote, oggi in Ungheria è entrata in vigore la nuova legge che prevede fino a tre anni di carcere per chiunque e a qualsiasi titolo tenti di entrare illegalmente nel Paese. E dalla mezzanotte la polizia ha già arrestato 16 migranti entrati dalla Serbia. Centinaia quelli bloccati al confine. [Read more].

• Ungheria, arrestati 16 migranti. Centinaia di profughi bloccati al confine, R.it, 15 settembre 2015

Budapest, Hungary: Captured Jewish women in Wesselényi Street, 20–22 October 1944. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-680-8285A-08.