The rule of law and human rights - Hungary
Rule of Law
The Kingdom of the Netherlands remains committed to promoting the rule of law worldwide, including in Hungary.
Human rights conference to treaties?
Emanating from international human rights law, protecting and promoting human rights worldwide is a key foreign policy priority of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Netherlands Human Rights Fund
The Kingdom of the Netherlands strives to protect and promote human rights around the world, including in Hungary. The Embassy’s Human Rights Fund supports organizations that work for human rights in Hungary along one of the following priorities:
• Supporting human rights defenders;
• Freedom of expression, internet freedom and independent journalism;
• Equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people;
• Equal rights for women and girls.
Supporting human rights defenders
Human rights defenders play a vital role in protecting vulnerable groups, exposing human rights violations, and demanding justice, often under significant pressure.
Supporting human rights defenders is essential, as they are instrumental in upholding fundamental freedoms, promoting justice, and holding those in power accountable.
In addition to funding projects that support human rights defenders, each year, the Kingdom of the Netherlands awards the Human Rights Tulip Award to a grassroot organization that has demonstrated remarkable work in human rights, and deserves greater visibility and recognition.
Freedom of expression, internet freedom and independent journalism
Freedom of expression is an essential part of a properly functioning democracy and a free society. People in general, and journalists in particular, should be free to express themselves both online and offline. But in many parts of the world freedom of expression is under threat.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is committed to supporting independent journalism, internet freedom, and freedom of expression. In 2024 the Embassy hosted a networking event to connect a high-level delegation of Dutch broadcasters to independent Hungarian journalists and media experts to exchange experiences.
Equal rights for LGBTIQ+ people
The Kingdom of the Netherlands supports the universal rights to equal treatment and non-discrimination. The protection and promotion of the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons is a priority within its foreign policy agenda.
Over the past few years, the Embassy has been proud to support the Budapest Pride and the Pécs Pride.
Equal rights for women and girls
The Kingdom of the Netherlands advocates for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
An example of a project supported by the Embassy is the HoldOn Project by Jézus Társasága Alapítvány. Funded by the Human Rights Fund, the organization installed two hygienic pad machines to combat menstrual poverty and support homeless women.
Human Rights Tulip Award
Each year, the Kingdom of the Netherlands awards the Human Rights Tulip Award to a grassroot organization that has demonstrated remarkable work in human rights, and deserves greater visibility and recognition. Find the previous winners of the Human Rights Tulip Award below:
2024: FECSKE
In 2024, the Human Rights Tulip Award was given to FECSKE, an innovative network that has done a remarkable job standing up for the rights of detainees and their families.
2023: Élmény Tár Tanoda
In 2023, the Human Rights Tulip Award was awarded to Élmény Tár Tanoda, an organization which creates opportunities for disadvantaged children, by building and strengthening small communities.
2022: the Hungarian LGBTIQ+ Coalition
In 2022, the Human Rights Tulip Award went to the Hungarian LGBTIQ+ coalition, consisting of 14 different Hungarian NGO’s, for uniting 1.7 million people in support of equality and dignity.