Our achievements in 2016
For the rule of law and human rights in Hungary – our 25 main achievements in 2016 We gave 832 clients free legal advice about police measures, ill-treatment and their rights in detention. 2800 asylum-seekers received free legal advice about the asylum procedure, their rights in detention and family reunification.
The court has done its job, the state needs to act
NGOs welcome the court decision according to which the series of attacks against Hungarian Roma in 2008-2008 were racially motivated, but underline that the government still needs to take steps to counter hate crimes.
Forum on hate crime in Balassagyarmat
On 13 February 2013 the HHC talked to foreigners about hate crime in Balassagyarmat.
Does bias (not) count!?
The police failed to consider that the assault on the Chairman of the Raoul Wallenberg Association bears an anti-Semitic bias and failed to investigate the incident as hate crime despite the fact that the law provides greater protection for the victims of hate crime. Apparently, the judicial practice presents deficiencies in this area.
Police fail to admit inappropriate action
Police again fail to properly qualify cases as racial violence. Instead of investigating racial motives and considering recent incidents in Cegléd, violence against a member of a community, focuses on simple rowdyism.
Better protection against racist and homophobic crimes!
As part of public consultations on the draft Criminal Code, 5 human rights NGOs call for thorough reform of legal provisions on hate crimes.
Parliamentary commission investigating Gyöngyöspata events should also look into government responsibility
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee submitted a 17-page analysis at the request of the parliamentary Committee investigating the Gyöngyöspata events. According to the HHC, the mandate for the Committee of Inquiry raises concerns as it fails to cover crucial issues, whereas it systematically emphasizes certain issues.
“The silent man is an accomplice…” – HHC calls on prosecutor to investigate, and politicians to condemn hate speech
The head of an extremist group (Betyársereg) cooperating with the parliamentary party Jobbik incited its audience to kill Jews, Roma and people who have “a different color skin” at a festival in Verőce. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee urges the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the case and the Prime Minister and the President of Hungary to condemn the manifestations of hatred.
HHC criticizes state inactivity
During a demonstration organized on 4 May 2011, human rights organizations called on the Hungarian government to take immediate steps to stamp out racist aggression.
Briefing for Budapest-based embassies on Hungary’s human rights performance in advance of UPR review
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee organized a meeting for the embassies of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, The Netherlands, South Africa, Sweden and the United States. The HHC presented the list of issues and recommendations as well as its shadow report in advance of the Universal Periodic Review.
