The European Commission may punish Hungary for the law on the status of “foreign agent”

The European Commission (EC) has begun the process of formally condemning Hungary for introducing a new law that imposes sanctions on organizations that receive funding from abroad. Human rights activists believe that the law is aimed at suppressing government opposition during the election period.

The law, passed by Budapest late last year under the title “Protection of Sovereignty Law,” creates a new body in the country to investigate political activities financed or carried out on behalf of foreign interests, Politico reports. Under the law, individuals who use foreign funds to interfere with elections may face prison terms. The Hungarian government says the law aims to protect the will of voters from undue interference by foreign forces.

Media freedom and human rights organizations compare the law to Russia’s foreign agents law. The Council of Europe called on the Hungarian authorities to abandon this law, as it could be used against the political opposition. The European Commission launched condemnation proceedings after finding that the Hungarian law violated several fundamental rights enshrined in EU law, including the rights to privacy and freedom of expression and association.