Hungarian Helsinki Committee

Founded in 1989, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee is one of the oldest ‘watchdog’ NGOs in Hungary. From 1995, it began working on core human rights issues, including detention, criminal justice and the right to asylum. Today the organisation still concentrates on these areas, but also provides free legal assistance and conducts strategic litigation. The Committee provides legal advice in around 3,000 cases a year, selecting a number of emblematic cases for further legal representation. The Committee is also one of the leading organisations in Hungary combating efforts by the government to close down civic space.