Stop the crackdown – Save lives: Defend civil society and the rule of law in Hungary

In this global sign-on letter, 116 civil society organisations from 47 countries raise the alarm over the ‘war on drugs’ launched by the Hungarian government in March 2025, which has resulted in aggressive police interventions targeting people who use drugs, and a concerning crackdown on harm reduction service providers and civil society organisations promoting human rights-centred drug policies.

Note that our open letter was drafted before the governing party submitted a new bill to the Parliament which, under cover of increasing transparency in public life, seeks to obstruct civil society organisations that are critical of the government. This bill could lead to the banning of numerous Hungarian organisations active in the field of drug policy and harm reduction, further underscoring the urgent need for intervention by European institutions.

Evidence-based prevention and harm reduction is not a crime. It is care. It is science. And it saves lives.

In March 2025, the Hungarian government launched a war on drugs. It amended the constitution with a prohibition of the use and “promotion” of drugs. The penalties for drug-related offenses were already among the harshest in Europe, but now they are being made even stricter. In parallel, there is political pressure on the police to aggressively enforce drug laws, mostly targeting people who use drugs. Civil society was not consulted as the law was being reviewed – and professional networks in the drug field have strongly criticised the changes. They pointed out that the government should create a comprehensive drug strategy and invest in prevention, treatment and harm reduction instead.

However, any criticism of the war on drugs is being condemned by government officials. Critical civil society organisations are accused of being foreign agents and “accomplices of drug traffickers”. The pro-government press regularly carries out vicious attacks against professionals and activists who provide pragmatic, compassionate prevention and harm reduction programs. Those who provide reality-based education, dare to speak up for harm reduction or drug policy reform have been increasingly scapegoated and threatened in smear campaigns by the Hungarian government for several years. They now risk being censored based on the constitutional ban on “drug promotion”.

Instead of a war on drugs, Hungary needs comprehensive and evidence-based drug policies, elaborated and implemented with the meaningful involvement of civil society. Harm reduction is one of the most effective, humane, and evidence-based approaches in public health. From providing realistic education, sterile equipment and preventing overdoses, to offering support, dignity, and safety to people who use drugs — harm reduction saves lives! But prevention, treatment and harm reduction services simply cannot be provided in the current climate of fear and repression.

How can this be? Pro-harm reduction organizations and individuals are not enemies of the state — they are providing life-saving public health services. Their only "crime" is challenging ideology and stigma with evidence, and providing support to people in need.

Let us be crystal clear: it is not civil society that threatens Hungary — it is the erosion of the rule of law, the silencing of independent voices, and the criminalization of compassion.

A democratic society governed by the rule of law must protect and support — not punish — those who defend human dignity, health, and rights. Targeting NGOs that operate legally, transparently, and in service of the public is not only unjust; it is a warning sign — for Hungary but also for Europe and the European Union as a whole.

When EU governments suppress civil society and replace science with ideology,lives are lost, trust is broken, and democracy begins to decay. In such an environment, facts become enemies and critical thinking a subversive act.

We call on the Hungarian government to immediately cease its attacks on prevention and harm reduction organisations and activists who promote drug policy reform.

The government must stop its war on drugs and uphold the rule of law and the obligations under international human rights and health frameworks.

A new, comprehensive, evidence-based national drug strategy should be prepared with the meaningful involvement of civil society.

Furthermore, all criminalisation and harassment of professionals and volunteers working in the field of harm reduction must be brought to an end.

We call on the European Union and the international community to stand in solidarity with Hungarian civil society and to defend the fundamental principles of science, compassion, and the rule of law.

We call on the European Union to respect the common framework ruling common agreements and to respect fundamental human rights.

Check out the PDF for a full list of signatories.