The Fidesz-KDNP governing parties have adopted a constitutional amendment that “creates the possibility that the Hungarian citizenship of Hungarian citizens who are also citizens of another state, not including citizens of states with the right of free movement and residence, is suspended in accordance with the provisions of a cardinal Act.”
Under the new legislation to be adopted later, Hungarian citizenship may be suspended for individuals who are also citizens of non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) countries if they are found to be acting in the interests of a foreign power or organization in a manner deemed incompatible with Hungarian citizenship.
Legal and human rights experts have sharply criticized the legislation. According to international lawyers, “the suspension of citizenship is an unprecedented concept in international law, which may easily be misused. The expulsion of a state’s own citizens from their home country may amount to a form of exile and inhumane treatment, and may be contrary to the human rights conventions binding the state concerned”.
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee denounced the amendment as a “vague and unprecedented provision (…) [which] creates legal uncertainty, raises serious human rights concerns, and effectively institutionalizes political intimidation”.
The legislation is part of the “Easter clean-up,” announced by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. It is a component of the intensifying campaign of intimidation and repression against independent institutions, civil society actors, and media critical of the government.