In a rare public demonstration on Saturday afternoon, Hungarian judges and judicial workers gathered outside the Ministry of Justice in Budapest to protest against recent government reforms and long-standing issues affecting the independence of the judiciary.
Organised by the Hungarian Judges Association (MABIE), the politically neutral event saw participants marching from Kossuth Square to the Ministry, with a host of judicial representatives voicing concerns over stagnant salaries and structural changes that they claim undermine the rule of law.
Mikael Sjoeberg, President of the European Judges Association (EAJ), opened the proceedings by emphasising the critical role that free and independent judges play in any functioning democracy. “Without free and independent judges, democracy does not work,” he declared. Sjoeberg also highlighted that Hungarian judges had not seen a salary adjustment since last spring—a situation that runs counter to international standards. He urged the government to address this disparity, asserting that any reform undermining the judiciary’s structural integrity places every citizen’s rights in jeopardy.
Boros Katalin, President of MABIE and one of the key organisers of the protest, reiterated the sentiment by stating, “If I do not dare to speak what I believe, then I have no right to believe in it.” Her remarks resonated with many in attendance, who have grown increasingly concerned that years of delayed wage increases have rendered judges vulnerable, at a time when they are expected to maintain an impartial stance in their professional roles. According to Boros, the protest was not merely about remuneration; it was a stand for the safeguarding of judicial independence and, by extension, the rights of all citizens.
Participants brandished banners bearing slogans such as “Justice is not for sale!” and “Judicial independence is your security!” while Hungarian flags fluttered throughout the procession. As demonstrators converged on Nádor Street, representatives of foreign judicial organisations were welcomed by local organisers, who reiterated that the protest was intended to be devoid of any partisan affiliation. The crowd’s response was one of unanimous support, with applause punctuating many of the speeches delivered.
In addition to Boros Katalin and Sjoeberg, several other judicial figures contributed to the discourse. Kajdi Rita, a judicial clerk at the Ajka District Court, warned that the newly introduced pay scale was exacerbating wage tensions. She called for a non-discriminatory approach to salary increases, a view that was echoed by Tóth László, secretary at the Budapest Court of Appeal, who criticised the lack of coherent policies for judicial clerks and administrative staff tasked with handling court matters.
Duro Sessa, President of the International Judges Association, characterised the demonstration as an unprecedented step by the judiciary. He stressed that judges were taking to the streets not for personal gain but to serve the broader public interest. “Every decision affecting the judiciary must be made in consultation with its representatives,” he added, underlining the necessity of a transparent and accountable process when considering reforms that could affect the independence of judicial institutions.
Retired legal adviser Köszler Ferenc expressed disappointment that only a fraction of Hungary’s approximately 2,700 judges had participated in the protest. Quoting a traditional papal saying, he remarked that “the judge who is afraid is no longer a judge.” He also lamented the absence of the President of the Curia at the event, contending that the judiciary’s leadership should stand shoulder to shoulder with its members in defence of democratic values. According to Köszler, the protest was not about the salary issue alone; it was a defence of the constitutional order and the separation of powers at a time when the legislative and executive branches were perceived to be encroaching on the judiciary’s autonomy.
Matusik Tamás, group leader at the Budai Central District Court, noted that judicial independence persists as long as judges are willing and able to defend it. He warned that the public’s reliance on an independent judiciary makes it imperative for those within the system to remain steadfast. “Every judge must ask themselves whether they have done enough to preserve judicial independence and the rule of law,” he asserted, signalling that the protest might mark the beginning of a new chapter in which judges refuse to back down in the face of external pressures.
The demonstration concluded with the collective singing of the national anthem, symbolising both unity and resolve. Similar displays of support were reported in other Hungarian cities, including Szeged, where a flash mob organised by local groups laid flowers at the Szeged Court building. In these regional events, participants echoed the central message: that the judiciary, as one of the final bastions of a democratic society, must be allowed to operate free from political interference.
The protest comes on the heels of a previous demonstration in December last year, which erupted after widespread criticism of an agreement between the government and the National Judicial Council. The earlier arrangement had tied long-delayed salary increases to a series of judicial reforms, an approach that many critics argued had effectively compromised the judiciary’s integrity. With the recent protest, Hungarian judges have made it clear that they will not tolerate further erosions of their independence or the constitutional safeguards designed to protect the rule of law.
Image source: TELEX
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