On July 2, 2019, Hungarian lawmakers passed a controversial legislation “described” as academic reform, but widely perceived as the continuation of the Orban’s efforts to seize control of higher education institutions. While the government claims that its aim is to make research more innovative, the law, which transfers ownership of the institutes’ properties to the new government-run Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), has prompted international outcry and has raised concerns about academic freedom in Hungary.
The bill creates a new organizational and financing model for the research, development, and innovation sector and was passed by 131 MPs, with 53 votes against and 3 abstentions in the 199-seat Parliament.
László Palkovics, Minister of Innovation and Technology, the person who submitted the bill, said the goal of the planned changes is to boost Hungary’s competitiveness by facilitating more efficient operation and creating a performance-based distribution of resources.
The bill gives the government control of a vast network of research institutes currently run by the two-century-old Hungarian Academy of Sciences (MTA). Their research funding will be allocated by the newly established Eötvös Loránd Research Network, the board members of which will be appointed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
In order for its operation, this “new” network would absorb the Academy’s properties, part of its central administration, and its winning grants and scholarships.
Palkovics stressed that the new body is not controlled or directed by the government.
In a statement, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences stated that,
The government justified its move, which would transform the entire system of Hungarian scientific life, by saying that the bill would pave the way for the framework of a new science and innovation policy. Furthermore, it would also contribute to the renewal of the RDI system and lay the foundations for the funding of this new innovation and science policy as well as for exploratory and applied research.
However, the Hungarian scientific community has made it abundantly clear that it is against the government’s plan relating to the Academy. The reasons for this are simple: the bill stands in contrast with basic European research funding principles and seriously endangers academic freedom.
Scientists and researchers turned to President János Áder with a plea to refer the law back to Parliament; however, instead, he surprisingly ratified it on July 12, 2019
Last month, thousands of scientists and their supporters demonstrated in Budapest against the proposed law. They said the takeover was unconstitutional and that it threatened scientists’ autonomy. In the past six months, scores of academies, universities, research institutes, and other scientific communities from across the world—including Endangered Scholars Worldwide—have joined in condemning the Hungarian government’s actions against the country’s higher education.
On July 1, 2019, the heads of Germany’s ten leading research organizations—including the Max Planck Society, its prestigious basic-research organization—wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, warning that the changes would harm science.
The planned restructuring could lead to a considerable decline in competitiveness and, as a result, a loss of quality… The decisive factor is—and will always be—scientific freedom guaranteed through legislation and resources.
Orbán and Co. Continue to Stifle Institutes of Higher Education
Last year, Budapest's Central European University (CEU), which fought for 20 months to secure its continued presence in the Hungarian capital, was pushed out of the country in an “arbitrary eviction” that violated academic freedom.
The Orbán government also has an ongoing offensive against civil society organizations. The new legislation—so-called “Stop Soros” by the Hungarian authorities—“criminalizes any assistance offered by any person on behalf of national, international, and non-governmental organizations to people wishing to apply for asylum or for a residence permit in Hungary.”
In April, the Association of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies expressed in a collective letter with other organizations grave concern about the increasingly restrictive climate for academic inquiry and scholarly research in Hungary.
Endangered Scholars Worldwide deplores and condemns the outrageous and unforgivable act of the Hungarian government against the academic community. We join other academic, intellectual, and political leaders in Europe, the US, and other regions who object to this assault on the country’s research institutes. We believe that Orban’s government’s actions are flagrant and unjust violations of the freedom and autonomy of institutes of higher education.
We call upon all European governments, the US Department of State, international organizations, university presidents, academic and professional associations, student groups, and individuals devoted to the promotion and defense of human rights to protest and condemn the Hungarian government’s actions. We must create a stable legal environment in which independent thought and inquiry can flourish.
ESW urges the officials of the Hungarian government to respect, guarantee, and implement the provisions and principles of autonomy of higher education as specified in the international conventions and treaties to which Hungary has long been a signatory.
Please send appeals to the following:
Viktor Orbán
Prime Minister 1357 Budapest, Pf. 6.
Hungary E-mail: miniszterelnok@me.gov.hu
Zoltán KOVÁCS
International Spokesperson
Tel: +36 1 896 1905
Fax: +36 1 795 0410
Email: intcomm@mk.gov.hu
István Mikola
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
1027 Budapest, Bem rakpart 47.
Hungary
Phone: +36 1 458 1000
Fax: +36 1 212 5918
Michael R. Pompeo
United States Secretary of State
Office of Foreign Missions
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520 USA
Email: OFMInfo@state.gov
David B. Cornstein
Ambassador of the United States to Hungary
Embassy of the United States
Szabadság tér 12, 1054
Budapest, Hungary
Fax: +36 1 475 4400
Kishore Singh
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Email: sreducation@ohchr.org
David Kaye
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
Email: freedex@ohchr.org
Federica Mogherini
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security
Policy
European Commission
Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 200
1049 Brussels
Belgium
Thorbjørn Jagland
Secretary General of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France
Fax: + 33 3 88 41 27 99
Philippe Boillat
Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law
Council of Europe
Avenue de l'Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex
France
Fax: + 33 3 88 41 27 99