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Articles

Vol. 61 No. 2 (2026): Law&Social Bonds

Commemoration of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution in the Legal Systems of Hungary and Poland

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36128/h3eb9584
Submitted
13 January 2026
Published
09-05-2026

Abstract

The 1956 Hungarian Revolution occupies a unique position in the historical memory of Central and Eastern Europe. Its significance goes beyond the historical dimension and is reflected in the legal systems of the states of the region. This article analyses the legal mechanisms used to preserve the memory of the 1956 events in the legal orders of Hungary and Poland. The analysis covers constitutional and statutory provisions, parliamentary resolutions, acts of symbolic law, as well as regulations concerning memorial days and places of remembrance. The article also takes into account the standards of freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights related to so-called memory laws. The aim of the article is to demonstrate the role of law as a tool for shaping collective memory and to indicate how the legal framing of the 1956 Revolution may contribute to strengthening Polish-Hungarian relations.

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