| Hungary, located in the heart of Central Europe and a member of both the European Union and the Council of Europe, has a population of approximately 9.5 million and a rich historical and cultural heritage. Budapest, the country’s capital and political, economic, and cultural centre, has played a prominent role in the history of Central Europe. Following the collapse of the socialist system, Hungary embarked on a transition to multiparty democracy in 1989 and joined the European Union in 2004. The Fundamental Law of Hungary, which entered into force in 2012, affirms human dignity, freedom, equality, and fundamental rights as core constitutional principles. Nevertheless, issues such as judicial independence, media freedom, civic space, the rights of migrants and asylum seekers, and the protection of minorities remain at the centre of human rights assessments, making Hungary an important case in contemporary debates over the rule of law and the effective protection of fundamental freedoms. |
