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The 2023 RECLAIM Annual Report highlights a pivotal year of achievements and challenges in defending human rights and the rule of law in Europe. Key accomplishments include coordinating the EU's largest human rights lawsuit against Hungary’s anti-LGBTIQ+ laws and co-launching the United4Diversity coalition to fight the anti-gender movement. RECLAIM also secured new donor support after overcoming underfunding, enabling the expansion of their EU Law Helpdesk in 2024.

The Commission has taken action against Hungary (Case C-769/22) for violating the rights of LGBTIQ
people. Their case rests, in part, on Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). This short briefing is intended to tackle uncertainties and overcome reservations as far as the judicial
application of Article 2 TEU is concerned. It seeks to answer the following four questions: whether, how, when and under what limits can Article 2 TEU be invoked as a ground in infringement proceedings?

RECLAIM’s Helpdesk is dedicated to supporting local human rights defenders work ethically and responsibly. If our joint advocacy leads to backlash from governments or anti-rights actors, RECLAIM has a "solidarity safety belt" to minimize risks. Should retaliation occur, here’s what you can expect:

This legal opinion analyses how the law breaches EU internal market freedoms, two directives on non-discrimination in employment and occupation as well as several fundamental rights - and why it should be challenged without delay before the CJEU. Since the law also breaches the conditions Bulgaria must meet to receive CPR funds, the Don't Say Gay law could result in aprox. EUR 650 fund freezing to the country.

RECLAIM has co-signed a letter addressed at European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President Věra Jourová standing in solidarity with Transparency International Hungary and Átlátszó. Both organisations have been subject to an investigation by the Sovereignty Protection Office.

This is an unofficial English translation prepared by RECLAIM of the letter sent by the Sovereignty Protection Office to Transparency International Hungary on 18 June 2024.

This document suggests a course of action to contest the activities of the Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office.
Section 1 explains why the Office’s activities can be challenged before a national court. Section 2 outlines the recommended formulation of preliminary reference questions to be submitted to the Court of Justice of the EU.

On 12 December 2023, Hungary passed Act LXXXVIII of 2023 on the Protection of National Sovereignty, which created a so-called Sovereignty Protection Office (SPO). In effect, the SPO can be used to humiliate and discredit anyone whose opinions the government opposes. The government is already investigating Péter Magyar, who is Prime Minister Orbán's main rival, and NGOs face even more pressure. Download our factsheet to get all the information you need in less than 5 minutes.

This is an unofficial English machine translation proofread by a Hungarian native speaker of the report published 6th May 2024 by the Committee on European Affairs of the Hungarian National Assembly on its investigative activities aimed at “exposing the political actions of the left against Hungarian interests in Brussels”.

This document contains details about the ongoing legal action taken by the European Parliament against the European Commission after the controversial release of about €10 billion that was previously blocked due to rule of law concerns in Hungary.
Section 1 explains the legal framework, Section 2 gives an overview of the potential legal arguments by the EP and Section 3 offers recommendations for Member States' action.

This is an unofficial English translation prepared by RECLAIM of the report published 22nd May 2024 by the Sovereignty Protection Office under the title: Report on the investigation of footage
published on social platform X.

The purpose of this document is to explain the need for the European Commission to adopt infringement guidelines to effectively defend the values of Article 2 TEU.
Section 1 describes the shortcomings that the Commission should tackle and provides recommendations on how to do so, while Section 2 explains the steps that should be taken for those guidelines to materialise.

Our legal opinion exposes substantial breaches of EU law, including GDPR violations, impediments to the free movement of goods, services, capitals, and workers, and infringements of fundamental EU Charter rights. It argues Articles 2 and 10 of the TEU have also been violated. Recommendations include accelerating the infringement procedure and requesting interim measures against Hungary.

In this letter, RECLAIM and five other international civil rights groups dedicated to upholding democracy respectfully request that the Commission expedites the infringement procedure and request interim measures to ensure the integrity of the 2024 European Parliament elections. Download it below

RECLAIM has requested the European Commission to release the documents related to the disbursement of EUR 10 billion to Hungary under the Common Provisions Regulation. According to the Commission, Hungary had met the requirements of "independence of the judiciary" needed to access such funds, but civil society organisations and the European Parliament question such decision.

RECLAIM urges Polish Ministers Sikorski and Bodnar to join EU case C-769/22 against Hungary's anti-LGBT law. Participation would boost trust in Polish institutions, strengthen EU relations, counter foreign interference, and affirm Poland's commitment to universal human rights. Read our joint letter with Háttér and Forbidden Colours here.

Our legal opinion exposes substantial breaches of EU law, including GDPR violations, impediments to the free movement of goods, services, capitals, and workers, and infringements of EU Charter of fundamental rights. It argues Articles 2 and 10 TEU have also been violated. Recommendations include accelerating the infringement procedure, requesting interim measures and maintain the fund freezing against Hungary. Explore our full analysis and recommendations.

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