Hungary’s parliament passed an amendment to the constitution today. The move shows how through nationalism and nationality the extreme right is trying to dictate. For Hungary the larger question is on LGBT+ rights, which prompted the change in constitution. Whatever you may think on the subject, it is clear that the methodology is close to a dictatorship.

This should be a lesson for other countries that the security of nationality should be guaranteed by its constitution. Similarly like in Argentina where the state, or even the person, can not take away the nationality. Nationality is the only way to belong in equality to the larger community. All countries should secure individual rights in society in their constitution, and this includes the security of its nationality. Argentina goes a step further, in that the individual can not renounce his/her nationality either. Where this can also be abused, it also ensures that other countries can’t force people into renouncing their nationality. Thus, on balance a good thing.

According to the Dutch law, the Netherlands its Queen Maxima, would have had to renounce her foreign nationality when becoming Dutch. Irrespective of her royal position this applies to anyone. However, the Dutch law can’t enforce this requirement in reasonability if the person can’t do this. Therefore it allows an exception and we now have a Dutch-Argentine Queen of the Netherlands. Again, besides her royal position, this should be the norm. We should allow families to have and keep the bonds with their loved ones and their countries of birth or adoption.

There are international treaties in place, which Hungary is a member of, ensuring that a country’s laws can not result in statelessness. Perhaps, the Hungarian government would have considered that if it would have been possible. Nationality, and the removal of nationality/citizenship, in order to control the masses.

The new concept of suspension of nationality.
Stripping someone of his/her nationality/citizenship is extreme. It is controversial and may be contrary to many international treaties or even its own laws. The last can of course be rewritten. However, to make this recognised as a high-impact punishment the Hungarian government decided to temporarily suspend the nationality. This is the weirdest controversial way of a modern take on old fashioned medieval banishment.

Hungary apparentely wants to remain a member of the EU. Because the EU treaty does not allow such removal of natioality and EU citizen rights. Thus, the suspension applies only to those who are dual nationals with a non-EU nationality. The nationality will be suspended for up to 10 years if the person is deemed to pose a threat to public order, public security or national security. And that is very vague, we could even say that the current Hungarian government is a threat to its own public order and security. Anyone can be deemed to be a thread. Not convicted, but suspected or contrary to the thought of the dictatorship. They dictate, you follow, or else.

Orbán described himself proudly as “illiberal”. The view of some is that he has accelerated his efforts to crack down on critics. Apparently he does not like some media organisations or groups devoted to civil rights and anti-corruption. In March Orbán compared people who work for such groups to insects, and pledged to “eliminate the entire shadow army” of foreign-funded “politicians, judges, journalists, pseudo-NGOs and political activists.”

Dávid Bedő, a Hungarian lawmaker in opposition said before the vote that Orbán and Fidesz for the past 15 years “have been dismantling democracy and the rule of law, and in the past two or three months, we see that this process has been sped up.” This is the 15th amendment to Hungary’s constitution since Orbán’s party unilaterally authored and approved it in 2011. I guess, you get what you vote for. But is this what Hungarian’s truly want, an authoritarian state where your nationality can be suspended for your views?