Viktor Orbán’s move to ban Pride in Hungary drew the ire of rights defenders and Europe’s entire political class. He went toe to toe with Von der Leyen on social media after she posted a video statement on X declaring herself an ally of the LGBTQI+ community and calling on Orbán to let Budapest Pride go ahead without criminal sanctions (the German LGBTQI+ community might be wondering whether that allyship extend her home turf, as she has yet to speak out about the ban of the Pride flag in the German Bundestag).

Despite the ban and the use of non-EU compliant tools, such as real-time facial recognition, by the police, the Pride march went ahead and saw over an unprecedented 200,000 participants, as well as EU city mayors and high-ranking political dignitaries (70 MEPs!) from around the EU to show their support.

The Liberties team didn't miss their share of the sweaty protest: Éva, Valentin, Gergő were on the ground soaking in not just the good vibes, the smiling faces committed to democracy, and the amazing work of the civil groups—but also noticed the facial recognition cameras set up along the roadside.

It was a landmark event, and we’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens next with the police's threatened penalties. You’ll definitely be hearing more from us on this front.

Best,

The Liberties Team

In Focus

Hungary

Facial Recognition to Target Pride in Hungary: Civil Society Orgs Call On The EU to Commit to Rights and Rule of Law

In an open letter to the President of the European Commission, Liberties and other civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and advocacy groups across Europe are urging the Commission to take immediate action to protect its citizens. Read it here.

Orbán Government Backs Down — For Now — on Controversial Media and Civil Society Bill

In a rare retreat under intense domestic and international pressure, Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has postponed the adoption of a controversial draft law that would severely curtail the operations of independent media outlets and civil society. Learn more.

Messaging Guides for Communicators Fighting Violence Against Women

Liberties has created a messaging guide to help communicators avoid the common pitfalls when talking about fighting violence against women and how they should build a persuasive narrative instead. Access it here.

Liberties’ 2024 Annual Report

Liberties' Annual Report 2024 is out. Curious about what we’ve been up to? This sleek report packs in everything—our team, key campaigns, big wins, and even our secret sauce for fighting for your rights. Dive in and see how we’re making a difference.

In the news

• Budapest Pride expected to be a rallying cry against Orbán’s rollback of rights (Guardian)
• Journalists helped shape the EU — now it needs us more than ever - EU Observer
• EU soll gegen digitale Verfolgung und Diskriminierung einschreiten (EU to take action against digital persecution and discrimination) - (Netzpolitilk.org - German)

Nutshell

• Stop spyware abuses in the EU: Liberties signed an open letter addressed to the EU institutions urging them to take action to prevent the unchecked use of spyware in the EU, which has been used to spy on journalists and human rights defenders. Read it here.
• Media Under Pressure: Jonathan Day, editor of the Liberties Media Freedom Report, joined the panel “Under Pressure: Protecting Media Freedom in the EU and Beyond” at the World Justice Forum in Warsaw.
• Sign our Pride Petition: Stop Mass Surveillance at Pride, Stop Face Recognition Now

Member corner

• Malta: Bomb suppliers in assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia sentenced

Robert Agius and Jamie Vella have been sentenced to life imprisonment on multiple charges related to the car bomb assassination of the journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on 16 October 2017. The jury delivered its 8-1 verdict on Thursday, 5th June, in Valletta after a day of deliberation. The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation attended all sittings of the trial, the significance extends beyond Malta. Press freedom iNGOs have flagged that ending impunity in Daphne’s murder is critical for journalists’ safety across Europe. The alleged mastermind, Yorgen Fenech, is currently awaiting trial. He was released on bail in February 2025 after five years in preventive custody.

• Czech Republic: Farewell to LHR’s Adéla Holeček

We wish Adéla Holeček all the best as she moves on from her position as fundraising and PR manager at League of Human Rights (LHR) to begin a new role in the cultural sector. Read our very first Meet Our Members interview, where Adéla talked about how she got into human rights work (and learn why her new role is a full circle moment). And we look forward to working with her successor, Markéta Braunová.

• Spain: Xnet and Accent Obert’s 4DConference 2025: Democratic Digitalisation and Digital Rights open for registration

Interested in digital public infrastructures, digital commons and fundamental rights for a democratic society? Then this is the event for you! Hosted by Xnet, in collaboration with Accent Obert, the 4DConference is open to any individual, organisation or institution interested in learning about ground-breaking experiences regarding democratic digitalisation, with the spotlight on people’s digital sovereignty. It will discuss digital rights and their violations, and how to apply changes and solutions to avoid them. The event will facilitate the exchange of experiences on civil policies and actions and generate recommendations for the national and international public authorities and for civil society.

• Slovakia: A village from the East vs. a shell company from the Seychelles

In 2021, desperate people from the village of Janík in eastern Slovakia wrote to Via Iuris. A shell company wanted to build a pointless incinerator next to their homes, where dozens of trucks would import waste from abroad every day. With money from their donors, Via Iuris has been providing legal assistance to the people of Janík for years, thanks to which they won the fight against the investor. There will be no incinerator in Janík. Congrats to the people of Janík and Via Iuris for this incredible David v Goliath victory!

• Italy: CILD’s new project to strengthen the climate justice frontlines in Italy and two new reports on the protection of migrants’ rights in Europe

Our Italian member organisation’s goal is to bring climate justice where it is most needed: into courtrooms, across affected territories, and among those speaking out for change. The project is funded via the STRIVE initiative – Strengthening the Rule of Law through Innovative Voices in Europe.

When they’re not strengthening climate justice, CILD is focusing on the protection of migrants’ rights in Europe. As part of the CERV-funded “SCUDI” project, they published two reports on key legal challenges and strategic litigation tools to uphold the rights of migrants.

1. Output of the Conference on European Sea Rescue State of the Art
2. Technical Sheet on International Cases and Best Practices in Sea Rescue

Reading/Watching/Listening

• Europe rights chief flags Germany's Gaza protest response (DW)
• Full text of EU report on Israeli crimes in Gaza (EUObserver)
• Francesca Albanese: 'EU officials must face charges of complicity in war crimes' (EUObserver)
• Life is Not a Simulation: It's Magic (Team Human)
• Polish women turn on Donald Tusk over abortion rights (Financial Times)
• He is the strongman who inspired Trump – but is Viktor Orbán losing his grip on power? (The Guardian)
• 2025 Atlas of Civil Society - Focus: Rule of Law Under Pressure (Brot fur die Welt)