Freedom of religion in Hungary

[1] Hungary was established as a Christian nation when Stephen I was crowned king by the pope in the year 1000.

This government fell before its religious policies could be implemented, and backlash to Communist rule resulted in a period of Christian nationalism in Hungary.

The Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party took power in 1949, and with the backing of the Soviet Union, religious practice was restricted in Hungary.

[3] Following the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, restrictions on religion were loosened despite a continuing decline in the religious population.

[4] Communist rule ended in 1989, and freedom of religion was recognized as a constitutional right under the new government.

This law establishes the importance of Christianity in Hungarian government while also recognizing the right to freedom of religion.

[6] The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union has challenged Hungary's unequal treatment of religious organizations, but the Constitutional Court has ruled that freedom of religion does not entail a right to equal support from the government.

Upon taking effect, the law revoked legal status from hundreds of religious organizations.

[13][20] The Organization of Muslims in Hungary has criticized the government for allotting it insufficient cemetery space, for delaying the restoration of the Yakovalı Hasan Paşa Mosque, and for providing Muslims in prison with pork despite the legal right to an alternative meal.

[21][22] A 2019 poll found that 36% of Hungarians believe there to be a "secret Jewish network" controlling politics and the economy and that 15% wish for Jews to leave the country.

[13] Muslims have been found to experience verbal harassment in public, with women and girls wearing a hijab being targeted in particular.