The United States on Wednesday condemned Hungary’s “protection of national sovereignty” law, calling it “incompatible with the rule of law,” AFP reported, citing Agerpres.

Last week, Hungary’s parliament passed a series of measures to create an oversight body responsible for preventing “foreign interference” in the election process and introducing prison terms.

This legislative package, aimed at “protecting the sovereignty” of Hungary, is seen by critics of nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as a new offensive to silence opposition forces.

“The United States is concerned about the Hungarian government’s decision to pass a new law today that gives the Hungarian government draconian tools that can be used to intimidate and punish people whose views do not share the ruling Fidesz party,” the spokesman said. State Department Matthew Miller, quoted in a press release.

“This new law is incompatible with our shared values ​​of democracy, individual freedom and the rule of law,” he added.

Several human rights NGOs, including Amnesty International, condemned the Hungarian government’s desire to “silence critical voices” by passing the law.