Dear friends and colleagues,

As you may be aware, the Hungarian government is trying to force the closure of Central European University, home institution of our Center for Media, Data and Society. 

CEU is reaching out to friends and colleagues around the world for support to face down this threat.

I am writing to ask you to send a letter of solidarity with CEU to the Hungarian authorities. CEU has set up a webpage https://www.ceu.edu/istandwithceu that includes a draft letter and contact information for emailing letters to the Hungarian government. We would also welcome institutional letters of support or public statements, in addition to your individual letters.

We need your help in promoting this issue and sharing it with your friends, colleagues and networks around the world.

There can be no doubt this is a politically motivated attack on civil society, free expression, critical thinking, and academic freedom. CEU's President and Rector has publicly stated the proposed legislation from the Hungarian government, which would make it impossible for us to exist, amounts to "political vandalism."

We have never been more proud to be a part of CEU and your expressions of solidarity and support would mean a lot to us.

Many thanks,

Eva Bognar

More information:

CEU official response: https://www.ceu.edu/node/17832

NY Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/29/world/europe/hungary-george-soros-university.html

Foreign Policy:  http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/03/30/stand-up-for-free-speech-hungary-viktor-orban-central-european-university/

US State Department`s response: https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2017/03/269343.htm#.WN5L8Lh0hL0.twitter

EVA BOGNAR

Senior Program Officer

CMDS - Center for Media, Data and Society, School of Public Policy

Central European University

Nador u. 9 | 1051 Budapest, Hungary

Phone: + 36.1.327.3000 / 2609

bognare@spp.ceu.edu | www.cmds.ceu.hu