Hungarian Civil Liberties Union
Encyclopedia
Since its inception in 1994, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) is a leading non-governmental organization
in the field of human rights
and harm reduction advocacy in Hungary
. Patterned on the successful model of the American Civil Liberties Union
's work in the United States, HCLU provides legal aid and advocacy for vulnerable populations, such as drug users, psychiatric patients, and people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as providing public information on related issues. In 2005, HCLU received a grant from the Open Society Institute
to further its sex work reduction and policy advocacy.
The HCLU has strongly opposed laws against Holocaust denial
saying that "the constitutional liability to act against exclusionary, racist and anti-Semitic speech cannot be solved effectively via criminal provisions, rather than by education and possible new sanctions against such remarks by public figures."
HCLU focuses on:
Additionally, HCLU had been working with the Hungarian Government's anti-corruption co-ordination board, although the organization quit such cooperation late in 2008, saying that it was "irrelevant." HCLU has been recognized as a less biased source for information on human rights issues in Hungary than official sources.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
in the field of human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and harm reduction advocacy in Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
. Patterned on the successful model of the American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
's work in the United States, HCLU provides legal aid and advocacy for vulnerable populations, such as drug users, psychiatric patients, and people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as providing public information on related issues. In 2005, HCLU received a grant from the Open Society Institute
Open Society Institute
The Open Society Institute , renamed in 2011 to Open Society Foundations, is a private operating and grantmaking foundation started by George Soros, aimed to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform...
to further its sex work reduction and policy advocacy.
The HCLU has strongly opposed laws against Holocaust denial
Laws against Holocaust denial
Holocaust denial is illegal in a number of European countries. Many countries also have broader laws that criminalize genocide denial. In addition, the European Union has issued a directive to combat racism and xenophobia, which makes provision for member states criminalising Holocaust denial, with...
saying that "the constitutional liability to act against exclusionary, racist and anti-Semitic speech cannot be solved effectively via criminal provisions, rather than by education and possible new sanctions against such remarks by public figures."
HCLU focuses on:
- its Drug Policy Program;
- Freedom of informationFreedom of informationFreedom of information refers to the protection of the right to freedom of expression with regards to the Internet and information technology . Freedom of information may also concern censorship in an information technology context, i.e...
and the right to informational privacy; - Patients' rights, including work with HIV/AIDSAIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
patients; - Freedom of ExpressionFreedom of speechFreedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
and Freedom of AssemblyFreedom of assemblyFreedom of assembly, sometimes used interchangeably with the freedom of association, is the individual right to come together and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests...
; and - Right to self-determinationSelf-determinationSelf-determination is the principle in international law that nations have the right to freely choose their sovereignty and international political status with no external compulsion or external interference...
, including abortionAbortionAbortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and euthanasiaEuthanasiaEuthanasia refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to relieve pain and suffering....
.
Additionally, HCLU had been working with the Hungarian Government's anti-corruption co-ordination board, although the organization quit such cooperation late in 2008, saying that it was "irrelevant." HCLU has been recognized as a less biased source for information on human rights issues in Hungary than official sources.