Venice Commission Urges Changes In Hungarian Laws

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission says Hungary needs to correct serious flaws in its new church law and in judicial reforms to ensure their compliance with international standards.

In draft opinions released Monday, the commission said that while the law cutting the number of recognized churches from over 350 to 32 is “a liberal and generous framework for the freedom of religion,” the requirements set for churches to be officially recognized by Parliament are excessive and arbitrary, and the process too political.

The commission’s main objections to judicial reforms centers on the extraordinary powers given to the president of the National Judicial Office, including in the selection judges and the transfer of cases among courts.