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Orbán distanced himself from Novák & tried to shift blame. But nothing happens in Hungary without his approval; it was his appointee & close ally who granted the shameful pardon & his government member who countersigned it Along with Novák & Varga, his hideous regime needs to go

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The hypocrisy of Orbán’s regime preaching child protection while presiding over a deeply flawed state that fails to protect children is glaring. It was an underfunded & dysfunctional institutional system that has allowed child abuse to persist for years, unchecked & unpunished.

Child protection has always just been a smokescreen for Orban & co. The "child protection law" was recent legislation banning the depiction of homosexuality to minors, echoing Russian law. Bookstores are restricted from selling works like “Heartstopper,” unless wrapped in plastic

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Novák was the host of the Budapest Demographic Summit, bringing together hard right influencers like Italy PM Meloni or Jordan Peterson. She's been travelling the globe, discussing "the protection of traditional values & families" with Ron DeSantis & even Elon Musk

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The scandal cut to the heart of the Orbán regime's ideological core & also dents their international efforts to forge a political alliance based on (as they say) family values "FAMILY FRIENDLY HUNGARY" is the regime's self-proclaimed brand & Novák was the brand ambassador

Former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who countersigned the pardon decision, also resigned— showing the gravity of the scandal. She was poised to lead Fidesz' list for the European Parliament elections.

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The extent of abuse within the children's home is horrifying. The director, between 2004 & 2016, sexually abused at least 10 underage boys. Novák’s pardon devastated victims who bravely shared their stories. It sent the message that well-connected abusers will just walk free.

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The individual pardoned by Novák was a deputy director of a children's home in Bicske. He had coerced a child, who was sexually abused by the then-director, into retracting his testimony. Novák's motive remains unclear—many speculated ties between the convict & Orbán's brother.

Katalin Cseh @katalincseh.bsky.social · 09/12/2023

Katalin Novák, President of the Republic & close Orbán-ally was forced to resign in disgrace—for pardoning the accomplice of a convicted pedophile She was crafting Orbán's international network & image as "protector of family values" The scandal that shook Hungary to its core👇

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Orban blocking Ukraine’s EU accession is serving Putin’s interests only. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

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The European Commission should challenge the law at the European Court of Justice without hesitation, and ask for interim measures to support civil society in Hungary. The time to stand up for democracy is now.

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The law aims to protect against foreign meddling in Hungarian elections — a bitter irony, given the host of credible evidence about Orbán himself actively meddling in elections in Poland or Bosnia-Herzegovina, not to mention his oligarchs’ involvement in Slovenian media markets.

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The bill threatens up to 3 years of jailtime for those participating in international funding programs— a practice completely legal & widespread in the 21st century. The twisted vision of the governing party is that not a penny is spent in the country without Viktor Orbán’s total control.

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Hungary’s Government Submits ‘Sovereignty’ Bill Seen Aimed at Opposition, NGO Funding

The so-called “sovereignty protection” bill is another dark milestone for Hungary. A straight-up authoritarian tool to crush dissent, intimidate & punish critical voices— it aims to strangle remaining independent media, NGOs & opposition parties, already facing relentless attacks.

balkaninsight.com

The bill on ‘protecting national sovereignty’ is regarded by opponents of Orban’s Fidesz party as another illiberal move to silence criticism and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2024 European...

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Reposted by Katalin Cseh

Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 19/11/2023

The Hungarian government has launched an anti-Brussels campaign with anti-Semitic overtones yet again, perhaps signalling that it is giving up on complying with the necessary reforms that would restore the flow of EU funds: www.theguardian.com/world/2023/n...

theguardian.com

Hungarian government campaign renews antisemitism concerns

PM Viktor Orbán seems to be returning to strategy of claiming shadowy global forces are trying to meddle in country’s politics

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The EU has the tools to communicate to citizens & set the record straight on anti-EU disinformation. But the European Commission has been notoriously reluctant to say anything, let alone devise a communication strategy fit for the 21st century. Let’s hope this will serve as a wakeup call.

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The “surveys” are truly Orwellian. See this on “migration & terrorism”👇 At one point, an opposition politician asked the National Election Office to consider them for referenda (as a test) & even the Orban loyalist body ruled that they are inadequate.

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We’ve seen these sham “consultations” a million times. Mailed to every single household & promoted by giant taxpayer-funded billboard campaigns— they are a tool for autocratic mobilization before elections. A mockery of deliberation, stoking hate against a designated enemy.

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Márta Pardavi @martapardavi.bsky.social · 17/11/2023

Orban’s propaganda machine has picked the new enemy for the political season—Commission President von der Leyen, depicted as a Soros-stooge These billboards will soon spread the country, saying— “Let’s not dance to THEIR tune” The EU has to wake up & respond to this disinformation deluge. Quick 🧵

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Reposted by Katalin Cseh

Smear campaigns in propaganda media against political and civil society activists are commonplace tactics in Hungary's illiberal playbook. Watch how activists describe these attacks and @hungarianhelsinki.bsky.social's lawyer explains why seeking justice in court matters. 444.hu/2023/11/17/b...

444.hu

Black propaganda campaigns in the Orbán regime

If the machinery targets you, there is no escape. One of the most important and powerful weapons of the Orbán regime was first used against political opponents – but now anyone could be targeted.

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Katalin Cseh @katalincseh.bsky.social · 29/10/2023

This👇on top of the fact that bookstores got fined for displaying ‘Heartstopper’ without plastic wrapping. An all-out attck against LGBTQ+ representation, in an EU member state. It claims to ‘protect’ kids— while it does the exact opposite, hurting at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. reut.rs/3MmTUYx

reut.rs

Hungary bans teenagers from World Press Photo exhibit, citing LGBT content | Reuters

Hungary's government has banned youngsters under 18 from visiting the World Press Photo exhibition on display in Budapest, citing LGBT content in some of the photos.

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Reposted by Katalin Cseh

Diego Velazquez @diegoinbxl.bsky.social · 26/10/2023

By shaking hands with Putin, Viktor Orbán is giving Ukrainians, who are bombarded every day, the middle finger, LU PM Xavier Bettel says before his last EU summit. www.wort.lu/internationa...

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Reposted by Katalin Cseh

Daniel Hegedus @danielhegedus.bsky.social · 24/10/2023

🇭🇺 vs 🇸🇪 NATO accession UPDATE During its today meeting the House Committee of the Hungarian parliament failed to schedule a voting on the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession protocol. So the motivation is much more, as always has been, pleasing Russia and not Turkey.

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Katalin Cseh @katalincseh.bsky.social · 25/10/2023

Omg!! Hi! 😍 Thank you for the kind words!