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Hungarian regulation of communist-era security files

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What changed

2026-09-29 09:33 UTC → 2026-09-29 21:35 UTC · added removed

The Hungarian Parliament passed legislation to regulate state security agent files, specifically targeting the Historical Archives of the State Security Services. The law, which law aims to increase transparency regarding the communist dictatorship era, includes provisions for era by digitalizing historical records and expanding the rights of relatives and monitored individuals to identify former collaborators and official personnel. Following the passage of the law, the Tisza Party proposed an amendment to delay the implementation date from October 20, 2026, to November 4, 2026. The party stated the extension is necessary to allow for a preliminary review of documents and to ensure the Advisory Committee for the Review of Classified Documents can begin work immediately upon enactment. The disclosure process, managed by the Historical Archives of the State Security Services, will involve a staged release of records, including magnetic tapes and specific cartons, while maintaining protections for privacy and personal data. As of late September 2026, the Historical Archives of the State Security Services announced that the disclosure will occur in two phases, beginning on November 4. This initiative, linked to Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s commitment to transparency, will include a searchable online database at nyitottaktak.hu. The archive estimates the records will contain between 50,000 and 60,000 names, with detailed recruitment files for approximately 9,000 individuals made available. Documentation includes ‘6-type files’, ‘H’ magnetic tape data, ‘B-books’, and ‘B-files’. Director-general Gergő Bendegúz Cseh noted the move has a ‘unique international scale’, as the level of detail exceeds previous efforts in other former Eastern Bloc nations. Officials cautioned the release could have significant social impacts, as names may include well-known public figures or relatives of citizens.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-29 21:35 UTC Hungarian regulation of communist-era security files
  2. 2026-09-29 09:33 UTC Hungarian regulation of communist-era security files

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