Hungary insists on legislative proposal that could shut down the Central European University

Summary:

Hungary's Central European University (CEU) said on 29 March 2017 that a government's proposal to regulate the activities of foreign universities was unacceptable and threatened academic freedom in the country.

Further information:

The proposed bill comprises a set of rules seen by university leaders as prohibitive for the operative of affected institutions. The government said it was open to negotiations but would not withdraw the proposal. The draft law was approved by the parliament on 4 April.

The CEU was founded by American philanthropist George Soros. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán had in past criticised civil society organisation funded by Mr Soros which espouse Open Society model at odds with his own preferred 'illiberal democracy'.

Official

Politico, 29.03.17: Hungary threatens Soros-financed university http://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-threatens-george-soros-financed-university-independent-institution-crackdown/

Hungary: Government: Prime Minister: News, 31.03.17: The future of the 'Soros university' depends on intergovernmental negotiations http://www.kormany.hu/en/the-prime-minister/news/the-future-of-the-soros-university-depends-on-intergovernmental-negotiations

ECFR: Commentary, 05.04.17: Statement from concerned Europeans on the Central European University http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_statement_from_concerned_europeans_on_7266

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News

BBC News, 29.03.17: Hungary university backed by Soros 'is facing closure' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39429309

The Guardian, 29.03.17: US-linked top university fears new rules will force it out of Hungary https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/29/us-linked-top-university-fears-new-rules-will-force-it-out-of-hungary

Reuters, 29.03.17: Hungary could force out Soros-founded university with new law http://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros-law-idUSKBN17012V

Deutsche Welle, 29.03.17: Hungary education law threatens Soros-backed Central European University http://dw.com/p/2aFZN

Hungary Today, 29.03.17: Central European University’s Future Under Attack? Everything You Need to Know, from the Government’s Proposed Bill, to International and Hungarian Reactions https://hungarytoday.hu/news/us-government-university-rector-hungarian-opposition-parties-react-government-bill-targeting-ceu-59345

The New York Times, 29.03.17: Hungary Plan That Could Shutter Soros’s University Is Called ‘Political Vandalism’ https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/29/world/europe/hungary-george-soros-university.html

Portfolio.hu, 29.03.17: Hungary plans to outlaw Soros-founded university http://www.portfolio.hu/en/economy/hungary_plans_to_outlaw_soros-founded_university.32693.html

EUObserver, 30.03.17: Hungary attempts to stifle Soros-founded university in Budapest https://euobserver.com/news/137447

Euronews, 30.03.17: Hungary: university legislation dispute spills out onto the streets http://www.euronews.com/2017/03/30/hungary-university-legislation-dispute-spills-out-onto-the-streets

Euro|Topics: Debates, March / April 2017: Orbán targeting Soros's university / Soros's university menaced by Orbán government http://www.eurotopics.net/en/176978/orban-targeting-soros-s-university

BBC News, 03.04.17: Hungary CEU: Protesters rally to save Soros university http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39479398

European University Association: News, 03.04.17: EUA calls on governments to refrain from interference in university autonomy http://www.eua.be/activities-services/news/newsitem/2017/04/03/eua-calls-on-governments-to-refrain-from-interference-in-university-autonomy

EurActiv, 03.04.17: Budapest march in support of Soros-founded university http://www.euractiv.com/section/freedom-of-thought/news/budapest-march-in-support-of-soros-founded-university/

Deutsche Welle, 02.04.17: Thousands protest in Hungary to support Soros-founded university http://dw.com/p/2aWrg

BBC News, 04.04.17: Hungary passes bill targeting Central European University http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39493758

EUObserver, 05.04.17: Anti-Soros university bill sparks protest in Budapest https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/137497

EurActiv, 06.04.17: MEPs demand action against Hungary after law targets Soros http://www.euractiv.com/section/central-europe/news/meps-demand-action-against-hungary-after-law-targets-soros/

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Commentary and Analysis

Foreign Policy, 30.03.17: Stand Up for Free Speech and the CEU http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/30/stand-up-for-free-speech-hungary-viktor-orban-central-european-university/

Blog: Verfassungsblog 31.03.17: Legally sophisticated authoritarians: the Hungarian Lex CEU http://verfassungsblog.de/legally-sophisticated-authoritarians-the-hungarian-lex-ceu/

The Guardian, 03.04.17: [Opinion]: The EU has tolerated Viktor Orbán for too long. It has to take a stand now https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/03/eu-tolerated-viktor-orban-hungarian-central-european-university

EUObserver, 03.04.17: [Opinion] The university so disliked by Orban https://euobserver.com/opinion/137477

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 04.04.17: The Saga of Hungary’s Central European University http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68527?lang=en

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ESO: Background information: Orbán names Soros and EU among those ‘attacking’ Hungary http://www.europeansources.info/record/orban-names-soros-and-eu-among-those-attacking-hungary/

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