A/HRC/58/49/Add.1 J. Civic space 96. The Special Rapporteur met with representatives of a broad range of CSOs. Whilst Hungary is still home to a vibrant civil society, these actors expressed deep concerns regarding restrictions on them carrying out independent human rights work, through restrictions on foreign funding, and Government/Government-associated smear campaigns against philanthropic individuals and organisations. 97. In June 2024, the ‘Defence of National Sovereignty’ Act was reportedly used to subject Transparency International Hungary and the independent media outlet Átlátzó, to investigations by the Office for the Defence of Sovereignty. The Special Rapporteur notes that the draft Law was the subject of a Joint Other Letter by the Special Procedures in December 2023.48 VI. Particular impacts on various sectors of society A. Anti-Muslim hatred 98. While noting that the Government has joined two recent international statements to combat anti-Muslim hatred, the Special Rapporteur notes with concern that anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia and discrimination against Muslims remain widespread in Hungarian society. UN human rights mechanisms continue to raise concerns about reported discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, including hate crimes and online hate speech, against Muslims and other religion or belief minorities. Regrettably the pattern of stigmatizing anti-Muslim rhetoric has also stemmed from high-level officials, especially in linking strong anti-migrant rhetoric with anti-Muslim hatred, defending ‘Christian Europe’ against Muslim immigration. It was reported that while physical assaults were rare, verbal insults were frequent, in particular against women wearing headscarves, persons with darker skin, and those speaking foreign languages. 99. The former Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief’s 2021 report on Countering Islamophobia noted that the European Commission had challenged Hungary’s ‘so-called “stop Soros” package of laws in an effort to prevent NGOs from aiding migrants from Muslim countries – referred to as “Muslim invaders”49 – and imposed 25% higher taxes on organizations “supporting immigration”’. 50 The report referenced survey data noting economic exclusion and discrimination faced by Muslims in accessing goods and services, in public transport, airports, administrative offices, shops and restaurants. 51 B. Antisemitism 100. According to the 2022 census, 7,635 individuals identified their religion as Judaism (cf. 10,965 in 2011 census), though estimates from the World Jewish Congress place the Hungarian Jewish community at 47,200, the largest in East Central Europe. 52 101. Even though Hungary declared a zero-tolerance policy on antisemitism, surveys note its prevalence across the country, often as coded hate speech, revealing deep-seated prejudice and discriminatory attitudes towards Jews. Incidents of the glorification of historical figures associated with antisemitism also persist in the country, by state officials and in social media. 102. A survey of 10 European countries released by the Anti-Defamation League showed that 37% of Hungarian citizens held antisemitic views. The Budapest-based NGO Tom Lantos Institute’s 2022 regional antisemitism survey concluded that 49% of the 1,849 48 49 50 51 52 16 OL HUN 1/2023. Ibid, para. 43. A/HRC/46/30, para. 30. Ibid, para. 31. https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/HU.