Manfred Weber and the EPP finally acknowledged the blatant assault on our research independence and the government has been forced to back down. We stopped them from seizing our assets and destroying the Academy. Stay vigilant because we have proven that they cannot dismantle our intellectual future without a fight.
September 3, 2019
Final supporters
Hungarian Academics’ Open Letter to Mr. Manfred Weber, the Group Chair of the European People’s Party
Dear Mr. Weber,
This open letter is a cry for help. We, Hungarian scientists, scholars and university professors turn to you for help in a most serious matter: The Hungarian Government has proposed legislation that would change the Hungarian research landscape dramatically, which tramples on the rule of constitutional law and on basic democratic principles.
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is an almost 200-year-old institution with numerous research centers and a network of research groups hosted by universities. The centers and institutes are under the self-governance of the Academy and are internationally reviewed regularly. The overall performance of these institutes is good, especially in comparison to the level of funding they receive.
According to the proposed legislation, the research centers and institutes would be separated from the Academy and organized into a new entity, governed by a board composed of 50 % governmental delegates. Moreover, the plan is to have a further council above this board, entirely consisting of delegates of the government. All the persons in these bodies would be appointed by the Prime Minister. All the assets of the Academy, including real estate, facilities, and all equipment would be used by the new organization without any compensation to the Academy.
The legislation was preceded by a one-year struggle between the government and the Academy. The Government has failed to present any reasonable argument or impact assessment. The leadership of the Academy has unanimously condemned the attack on academic freedom, has presented clear arguments in favor of keeping the institutes within the organization of the Academy and has shown gestures of readiness for compromise. These were swept aside.
The General Assembly of the Hungarian Academy voted twice with an overwhelming majority against the intentions of the Government. The research community has organized itself into the so-called Hungarian Academy Staff Forum. Multiple demonstrations were held, manifestos and protests were published – in vain. We have run out of options.
Prime Minister Mr. Orbán, the leader of the ruling FIDESZ party seems to intend to stay with his party within the EPP in the new legislature. He already ordered concessions to comply with the democratic requirements put forward to him by EPP, like the withdrawal of the system of courts for public administration or that of the special tax for advertisements. The new legislation, which violates the right to academic freedom, and the right to property, is a severe attack on the democratic order and principles. We ask you to put pressure on Mr. Orbán to withdraw the legislation about the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
With best regards,
1 Janos Kertesz Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
2 Pal Acs DSc Literary Historian Professor
3 Julianna Kardos DSc Neurochemist Professor
4 Gyorgy Bazsa DSc Chemist Professor
5 Istvan Fabian DSc Chemist Professor
6 Istvan Juhasz Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Prof.
7 Janos Szepvolgyi DSc Chem. Engineer Professor
8 Mihaly Laki DSc Economist Res. Prof.
9 Andras Kornai DSc Mathematician, linguist Professor
10 Tamas Vicsek Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
11 Maria Csanadi DSc Economist Res. Prof.
12 Andras Recski DSc Mathematician Professor
13 Denes Lajos Nagy DSc Physicist Professor
14 Roza Vajda Member of the H.A.S. Economist Professor
15 Ilona Kovacs Member of the H.A.S. Psychologist Professor
16 Judit Gardos PhD Sociologist Research fellow
17 Zsuzsa Hetenyi DSc Literary Historian Professor
18 Peter Mihalyi DSc Economist Professor
19 Sandor Gorog Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
20 Miklos Szanyi DSc Economist Professor
21 Gabor Korosi DSc Economist Professor
22 Laszlo Solti Member of the H.A.S. Veterinarian surgeon Professor, Rector
23 Gabriella Csik PhD Biophysicist Assoc. Professor
24 Peter Major Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
25 Miklos Koren PhD Economist Professor
26 Lajos Nyikos DSc Chemist Professor
27 Tibor Vamos Member of the H.A.S. Comp. Scientist Professor
28 Agnes Heller Member of the H.A.S. Philosopher Professor
29 Miklos Laczkovich Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
30 Sandor Zsolt Kovacs MSc Economist Researcher
31 Gabor Elek DSc Mathematician Professor
32 Andras Mate CSc Logician Senior Res. Fellow
33 Marta Fulop CSc Psychologist Professor
34 Gabor Klaniczay DSc Historian Professor
35 Karoly Heberger DSc Chemist Professor
36 Andras Simonovits DSc Mathematician Professor
37 Zoltan Grunhut PhD Economist Research fellow
38 Istvan Mayer DSc Physicist Res. Prof.
39 Erno Marosi Member of the H.A.S. Art Historian Professor
40 Zoltan Furedi Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Prof.
41 Annamaria Inzelt DSc Economist Professor
42 Andras Varadi DSc, Member of the Acad. Eu. Chemist Professor
43 Anna Erdei Member of the H.A.S. Immunologist Professor
44 Balazs Lengyel PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
45 Laszlo Halpern DSc Economist Sci. Advisor
46 Erzsebet Szalai DSc Sociologist Professor
47 Aniko Biro PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
48 Andras Frank Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
49 Dora Gyorffy DSc Political economist Professor
50 Pal Venetianer Member of the H.A.S. & Acad Eu. Biologist Professor
51 Baint Toth DSc, Member of the Acad. Eu. Mathematician Professor
52 Endre Rev DSc Chemical Eng. Professor
53 Peter Somlai DSc Sociologist Professor
54 Bela Gerskovits PhD Political scientist Professor
55 Bulcsu Bognar PhD Sociologist Assoc. Professor
56 Janos Kollo DSc Economist Senior Res. Fellow
57 Ferenc Hudecz Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
58 Ferenc Tallar DSc Philosopher Professor
59 Hans-Martin Gaertner PhD Linguist Res. Professor
60 Imre Voros Member of the H.A.S. Lawyer Professor
61 Miklos Simonyi DSc Chemist Sci. Advisor
62 Zoltan Homonnay DSc Chemist Professor
63 Marton Szilagyi DSc Literary Historian Professor
64 Zoltan Bajnok DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
65 Vanda Lamm Member of the H.A.S. Lawyer Professor
66 Jozsef Somogyi PhD Engineer researcher
67 Gyorgyi Barta DSc Economist Sci. Advisor
68 Gabriella Bohm DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
69 Orsolya Szalardy PhD Biologist Research fellow
70 Imre Z. Ruzsa Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Professor
71 Edit Fenyvesi PhD Physicist Researcher
72 Gabor Oszlanyi DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
73 Gergely Harcos DSc Mathematician Sci. Advisor
74 Gabor Blasko Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
75 Janos M. Rainer Member of the H.A.S. Historian Professor
76 Istvan Kenesei Member of the H.A.S. Linguist Professor
77 Gabor Vargyas DSc Cult. Anthropologist Professor
78 Hubert Janos Kiss PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
79 Eva Gyarmathy PhD Psychologist Senior Res. Fellow
80 Ferenc Eros DSc Psychologist Professor
81 Miklos Menyhard DSc Physicist Professor
82 Zsuzsanna Marton PhD Physicist Assoc. Professor
83 Peter Nemeth PhD Geologist Researcher
84 Domokos Szasz Member of the H.A.S. & Acad Eu. Mathematician Professor
85 Gabor Takacs DSc Physicist Professor
86 Marianne Blazso DSc Chemist Sci. Advisor
87 Gabor Lente DSc Chemist Profesor
88 Gabor Timar PhD Geophysicist Assoc. Professor
89 Peter Gurin PhD Physicist Assoc. Professor
90 Ferenc Simon DSc Physicist Professor
91 Tamas Bauer Dr. Economist Professor
92 Robert Freud CSc Mathematician Assoc. Professor
93 Julia Szalai Member of the H.A.S. Sociologist Professor
94 Judit Gervai PhD Behavior scientist Professor
95 Laszlo Majtenyi DSc Lawyer Professor
96 David Visontai PhD Physicist Research fellow
97 Ellak Somfai DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
98 Annamaria Sinkovics PhD Physicist Senior Res. Fellow
99 Gabriella Pasztor PhD Physicist Senior Res. Fellow
100 Krisztina Demeter DSc Economist Professor
101 Zsofia Anna Gaal PhD psychologist Senior Res. Fellow
102 Edit Szilagyi DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
103 Lajos Diosi DSc Physicist Professor
104 Tamas Pajkossy DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
105 Balazs Sarkadi Member of the H.A.S. Biologist Professor
106 Andras Suto DSc Physicist Res. Professor
107 Arpad Lukacs PhD Physicist postdoctoral fellow
108 Csaba Bagyinka DSc Biologist Res. Advisor
109 Laszlo Bencze PhD Chemist Assoc. Professor
110 Andras Szucs Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
111 Miklos Mesterhazi PhD Philosopher Senior Res. Fellow
112 Imre Barany Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
113 Gyorgy Lengyel DSc Sociologist Professor
114 Adrienn Molnar PhD Economist postdoctoral fellow
115 Tibor Valuch DSc Historian Professor
116 Andras Janossy Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
117 Attila Kunfi MSc Chemist PhD student
118 Karoly Takacs PhD Sociologist Senior Res. Fellow
119 Gabor Katona PhD Physicist Assistant Professor
120 Andras Falus Member of the H.A.S. Biologist Professor
121 Balazs Patkos PhD Mathematician Senior Res. Fellow
122 Laszlo Kalman CSc Theor. Linguist Assistant Professor
123 Gabor Recski PhD Linguist Assistant Professor
124 Laszlo Heja PhD Neurochemist Research fellow
125 Balazs Hangya PhD Neurochemist Research fellow
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 9, 2019
June 8, 2019
Manfred Weber is still refusing to acknowledge this assault on Hungarian academic freedom. We are nearing one thousand signatures and we need to shove this number in his face before the government strips the Academy of its autonomy for good. Blast this link to everyone you know right now so we can force him to answer for this disaster.
Reached 100 supporters
June 6, 2019
June 4, 2019
Manfred Weber is betting that we will get tired of fighting his silence. We are on the verge of hitting one hundred signatures and we need to push past this mark to prove these academics will not be ignored. Post this link right now and force the EPP to look at the damage they are enabling.
428 Comments
After CEU, this hostile take-over of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is clearly a red line. Disrespect of European values, and extremely harmful for the successful Hungarian academic and research community.
When I was studying for my degree I had the opportunity to learn from several talented teachers/researchers of the HAS at the Pécs Medical University. I am eager to see that one day my daughter will have the same opportunity at one of the Hungarian universities.
What shall I say to my son, who wants to become a scientist at the age of 6? How can we ensure the future of the Earth without scientist? Please make this autocrat stop destroying democracy, freedom and values so there is at least some hope for Hungary and for the children here.
As member of the Austrian and the European Academy of Sciences and Honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences I protest against the legislation proposed by the Hungarian Government, which threatens the future of research in Hungary
Hungarian scientists have long made important contributions to knowledge and currently lead the world in areas such as nerve circuits in the brain - for which 3 Hungarian scientists won the first European Brain Prize. It is crucial that they are protected from political interference. Honorary Member of the Academy
I support Iranian people against Islamic Republic.
I spport Iranian movement against Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenehi and Islamic revoluton guard.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Manfred Weber and the EPP finally acknowledged the blatant assault on our research independence and the government has been forced to back down. We stopped them from seizing our assets and destroying the Academy. Stay vigilant because we have proven that they cannot dismantle our intellectual future without a fight.
September 3, 2019
Final supporters
Hungarian Academics’ Open Letter to Mr. Manfred Weber, the Group Chair of the European People’s Party
Dear Mr. Weber,
This open letter is a cry for help. We, Hungarian scientists, scholars and university professors turn to you for help in a most serious matter: The Hungarian Government has proposed legislation that would change the Hungarian research landscape dramatically, which tramples on the rule of constitutional law and on basic democratic principles.
The Hungarian Academy of Sciences is an almost 200-year-old institution with numerous research centers and a network of research groups hosted by universities. The centers and institutes are under the self-governance of the Academy and are internationally reviewed regularly. The overall performance of these institutes is good, especially in comparison to the level of funding they receive.
According to the proposed legislation, the research centers and institutes would be separated from the Academy and organized into a new entity, governed by a board composed of 50 % governmental delegates. Moreover, the plan is to have a further council above this board, entirely consisting of delegates of the government. All the persons in these bodies would be appointed by the Prime Minister. All the assets of the Academy, including real estate, facilities, and all equipment would be used by the new organization without any compensation to the Academy.
The legislation was preceded by a one-year struggle between the government and the Academy. The Government has failed to present any reasonable argument or impact assessment. The leadership of the Academy has unanimously condemned the attack on academic freedom, has presented clear arguments in favor of keeping the institutes within the organization of the Academy and has shown gestures of readiness for compromise. These were swept aside.
The General Assembly of the Hungarian Academy voted twice with an overwhelming majority against the intentions of the Government. The research community has organized itself into the so-called Hungarian Academy Staff Forum. Multiple demonstrations were held, manifestos and protests were published – in vain. We have run out of options.
Prime Minister Mr. Orbán, the leader of the ruling FIDESZ party seems to intend to stay with his party within the EPP in the new legislature. He already ordered concessions to comply with the democratic requirements put forward to him by EPP, like the withdrawal of the system of courts for public administration or that of the special tax for advertisements. The new legislation, which violates the right to academic freedom, and the right to property, is a severe attack on the democratic order and principles. We ask you to put pressure on Mr. Orbán to withdraw the legislation about the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.
With best regards,
1 Janos Kertesz Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
2 Pal Acs DSc Literary Historian Professor
3 Julianna Kardos DSc Neurochemist Professor
4 Gyorgy Bazsa DSc Chemist Professor
5 Istvan Fabian DSc Chemist Professor
6 Istvan Juhasz Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Prof.
7 Janos Szepvolgyi DSc Chem. Engineer Professor
8 Mihaly Laki DSc Economist Res. Prof.
9 Andras Kornai DSc Mathematician, linguist Professor
10 Tamas Vicsek Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
11 Maria Csanadi DSc Economist Res. Prof.
12 Andras Recski DSc Mathematician Professor
13 Denes Lajos Nagy DSc Physicist Professor
14 Roza Vajda Member of the H.A.S. Economist Professor
15 Ilona Kovacs Member of the H.A.S. Psychologist Professor
16 Judit Gardos PhD Sociologist Research fellow
17 Zsuzsa Hetenyi DSc Literary Historian Professor
18 Peter Mihalyi DSc Economist Professor
19 Sandor Gorog Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
20 Miklos Szanyi DSc Economist Professor
21 Gabor Korosi DSc Economist Professor
22 Laszlo Solti Member of the H.A.S. Veterinarian surgeon Professor, Rector
23 Gabriella Csik PhD Biophysicist Assoc. Professor
24 Peter Major Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
25 Miklos Koren PhD Economist Professor
26 Lajos Nyikos DSc Chemist Professor
27 Tibor Vamos Member of the H.A.S. Comp. Scientist Professor
28 Agnes Heller Member of the H.A.S. Philosopher Professor
29 Miklos Laczkovich Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
30 Sandor Zsolt Kovacs MSc Economist Researcher
31 Gabor Elek DSc Mathematician Professor
32 Andras Mate CSc Logician Senior Res. Fellow
33 Marta Fulop CSc Psychologist Professor
34 Gabor Klaniczay DSc Historian Professor
35 Karoly Heberger DSc Chemist Professor
36 Andras Simonovits DSc Mathematician Professor
37 Zoltan Grunhut PhD Economist Research fellow
38 Istvan Mayer DSc Physicist Res. Prof.
39 Erno Marosi Member of the H.A.S. Art Historian Professor
40 Zoltan Furedi Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Prof.
41 Annamaria Inzelt DSc Economist Professor
42 Andras Varadi DSc, Member of the Acad. Eu. Chemist Professor
43 Anna Erdei Member of the H.A.S. Immunologist Professor
44 Balazs Lengyel PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
45 Laszlo Halpern DSc Economist Sci. Advisor
46 Erzsebet Szalai DSc Sociologist Professor
47 Aniko Biro PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
48 Andras Frank Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
49 Dora Gyorffy DSc Political economist Professor
50 Pal Venetianer Member of the H.A.S. & Acad Eu. Biologist Professor
51 Baint Toth DSc, Member of the Acad. Eu. Mathematician Professor
52 Endre Rev DSc Chemical Eng. Professor
53 Peter Somlai DSc Sociologist Professor
54 Bela Gerskovits PhD Political scientist Professor
55 Bulcsu Bognar PhD Sociologist Assoc. Professor
56 Janos Kollo DSc Economist Senior Res. Fellow
57 Ferenc Hudecz Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
58 Ferenc Tallar DSc Philosopher Professor
59 Hans-Martin Gaertner PhD Linguist Res. Professor
60 Imre Voros Member of the H.A.S. Lawyer Professor
61 Miklos Simonyi DSc Chemist Sci. Advisor
62 Zoltan Homonnay DSc Chemist Professor
63 Marton Szilagyi DSc Literary Historian Professor
64 Zoltan Bajnok DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
65 Vanda Lamm Member of the H.A.S. Lawyer Professor
66 Jozsef Somogyi PhD Engineer researcher
67 Gyorgyi Barta DSc Economist Sci. Advisor
68 Gabriella Bohm DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
69 Orsolya Szalardy PhD Biologist Research fellow
70 Imre Z. Ruzsa Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Res. Professor
71 Edit Fenyvesi PhD Physicist Researcher
72 Gabor Oszlanyi DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
73 Gergely Harcos DSc Mathematician Sci. Advisor
74 Gabor Blasko Member of the H.A.S. Chemist Professor
75 Janos M. Rainer Member of the H.A.S. Historian Professor
76 Istvan Kenesei Member of the H.A.S. Linguist Professor
77 Gabor Vargyas DSc Cult. Anthropologist Professor
78 Hubert Janos Kiss PhD Economist Senior Res. Fellow
79 Eva Gyarmathy PhD Psychologist Senior Res. Fellow
80 Ferenc Eros DSc Psychologist Professor
81 Miklos Menyhard DSc Physicist Professor
82 Zsuzsanna Marton PhD Physicist Assoc. Professor
83 Peter Nemeth PhD Geologist Researcher
84 Domokos Szasz Member of the H.A.S. & Acad Eu. Mathematician Professor
85 Gabor Takacs DSc Physicist Professor
86 Marianne Blazso DSc Chemist Sci. Advisor
87 Gabor Lente DSc Chemist Profesor
88 Gabor Timar PhD Geophysicist Assoc. Professor
89 Peter Gurin PhD Physicist Assoc. Professor
90 Ferenc Simon DSc Physicist Professor
91 Tamas Bauer Dr. Economist Professor
92 Robert Freud CSc Mathematician Assoc. Professor
93 Julia Szalai Member of the H.A.S. Sociologist Professor
94 Judit Gervai PhD Behavior scientist Professor
95 Laszlo Majtenyi DSc Lawyer Professor
96 David Visontai PhD Physicist Research fellow
97 Ellak Somfai DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
98 Annamaria Sinkovics PhD Physicist Senior Res. Fellow
99 Gabriella Pasztor PhD Physicist Senior Res. Fellow
100 Krisztina Demeter DSc Economist Professor
101 Zsofia Anna Gaal PhD psychologist Senior Res. Fellow
102 Edit Szilagyi DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
103 Lajos Diosi DSc Physicist Professor
104 Tamas Pajkossy DSc Physicist Sci. Advisor
105 Balazs Sarkadi Member of the H.A.S. Biologist Professor
106 Andras Suto DSc Physicist Res. Professor
107 Arpad Lukacs PhD Physicist postdoctoral fellow
108 Csaba Bagyinka DSc Biologist Res. Advisor
109 Laszlo Bencze PhD Chemist Assoc. Professor
110 Andras Szucs Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
111 Miklos Mesterhazi PhD Philosopher Senior Res. Fellow
112 Imre Barany Member of the H.A.S. Mathematician Professor
113 Gyorgy Lengyel DSc Sociologist Professor
114 Adrienn Molnar PhD Economist postdoctoral fellow
115 Tibor Valuch DSc Historian Professor
116 Andras Janossy Member of the H.A.S. Physicist Professor
117 Attila Kunfi MSc Chemist PhD student
118 Karoly Takacs PhD Sociologist Senior Res. Fellow
119 Gabor Katona PhD Physicist Assistant Professor
120 Andras Falus Member of the H.A.S. Biologist Professor
121 Balazs Patkos PhD Mathematician Senior Res. Fellow
122 Laszlo Kalman CSc Theor. Linguist Assistant Professor
123 Gabor Recski PhD Linguist Assistant Professor
124 Laszlo Heja PhD Neurochemist Research fellow
125 Balazs Hangya PhD Neurochemist Research fellow
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 9, 2019
June 8, 2019
Manfred Weber is still refusing to acknowledge this assault on Hungarian academic freedom. We are nearing one thousand signatures and we need to shove this number in his face before the government strips the Academy of its autonomy for good. Blast this link to everyone you know right now so we can force him to answer for this disaster.
Reached 100 supporters
June 6, 2019
June 4, 2019
Manfred Weber is betting that we will get tired of fighting his silence. We are on the verge of hitting one hundred signatures and we need to push past this mark to prove these academics will not be ignored. Post this link right now and force the EPP to look at the damage they are enabling.
428 Comments
Mr Orbán, standing on the top of Hungary's feudal pyramid, does not want serious and reputable Hungarian scientists to decide how EU co-financing of Hungarian R&D would be used during the next EU budget period. Instead, he wants to give this right to his vassals. EPP can do a lot to stop this - if they really want to!
After CEU, this hostile take-over of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences is clearly a red line. Disrespect of European values, and extremely harmful for the successful Hungarian academic and research community.
When I was studying for my degree I had the opportunity to learn from several talented teachers/researchers of the HAS at the Pécs Medical University. I am eager to see that one day my daughter will have the same opportunity at one of the Hungarian universities.
What shall I say to my son, who wants to become a scientist at the age of 6? How can we ensure the future of the Earth without scientist? Please make this autocrat stop destroying democracy, freedom and values so there is at least some hope for Hungary and for the children here.
As member of the Austrian and the European Academy of Sciences and Honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences I protest against the legislation proposed by the Hungarian Government, which threatens the future of research in Hungary
Hungarian scientists have long made important contributions to knowledge and currently lead the world in areas such as nerve circuits in the brain - for which 3 Hungarian scientists won the first European Brain Prize. It is crucial that they are protected from political interference. Honorary Member of the Academy
I support Iranian people against Islamic Republic.
I spport Iranian movement against Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenehi and Islamic revoluton guard.
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Mr Orbán, standing on the top of Hungary's feudal pyramid, does not want serious and reputable Hungarian scientists to decide how EU co-financing of Hungarian R&D would be used during the next EU budget period. Instead, he wants to give this right to his vassals. EPP can do a lot to stop this - if they really want to!