Hungarian government seeks informants in hunt for suspicous individuals with dual citizenship
The Hungarian government has proposed a controversial law that could strip dual nationals of their citizenship for up to ten years. The law, which aims to strengthen national sovereignty, targets those with non-EU or non-EEA passports. Moreover, the government encourages citizens to become informants and report suspected risks.
Controversial proposal
Népszava reports that the Hungarian government has introduced a controversial proposal that could see certain dual nationals stripped of their Hungarian citizenship for up to ten years. The amendment, published by the National Assembly on Tuesday night, claims to strengthen “the protection of national sovereignty” by allowing authorities to suspend citizenship for those who also hold a passport from a non-European Economic Area or non-EU candidate country.
This means British-Hungarians, Russian-Hungarians, and Hungarian-Americans could be targeted, while citizens of Norway, Romania, or other EU-associated nations would remain unaffected. The law cites threats to public order and national security as justification, including serving in a foreign military, acting in the interests of a foreign power, or being convicted of serious crimes such as treason or terrorism.
Informants to help the Hungarian government
A key provision of the amendment allows Hungarian citizenship to be suspended by ministerial decree, with the individual having to prove they do not pose a security risk. However, what makes this law quite particular is its reliance on informants. The Hungarian government has openly invited anyone to report individuals they suspect of meeting the criteria, effectively encouraging a culture of denunciation. While the final decision rests with a government minister, critics argue that this policy could be used to target political opponents and silence dissent under the guise of national security.
Concerns about civil liberties
This move aligns with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s rhetoric against so-called “foreign-funded actors,” a theme he reinforced in his 15 March speech calling for the elimination of what he named a “shadow army.” Many think that by allowing informants to trigger investigations, the government appears to be weaponising public cooperation against perceived threats. While officials insist that ordinary citizens will not be expelled from the country, critics warn that the amendment raises serious concerns about civil liberties.
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