More serious action needed on police ill-treatment

In October 2024, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee submitted its observations to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the Gubacsi v. Hungary group of cases for the 7th time. This group of cases includes cases of police ill-treatment in Hungary, in which the European Court of Human Rights found that the Hungarian authorities failed to effectively investigate and prosecute the offenders.

According to the Court and the Committee of Ministers, in such cases the Hungarian prosecution often fails to gather essential and accessible evidence, such as the testimony of witnesses and suspects, and medical reports. The HHC considers that no substantial progress has been made since 2011 on the systematic problems addressed by this group of cases. Prosecution and conviction statistics have not improved, and courts continue to apply lenient sentences, such as fine or suspended prison sentence. It is possible for police officers who commit ill-treatment to even keep their job. It is also problematic that, under Hungarian law, victims of ill-treatment are accompanied to medical examinations by a police officer, who in many cases is the same officer who committed the crime.

The HHC’s communications to the Committee of Ministers are available here and here.