Migrants in the Media
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee’s study examines the negative stereotypes in the Hungarian media related to the topics of migration and refugees. The research was based on 300 articles collected and evaluated in 2011.
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NGOs address President of the European Commission
In their letter sent to the President of the European Commission, the Eötvös Károly Institute, the HHC and the HCLU claim that Hungarian legal provisions on the Data Protection Commissioner of Hungary violate relevant EU directives. The NGOs suggest the Commission to initiate a proceeding against Hungary.
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New draft of the petty offence law contains absurd and unconstitutional measures
The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee jointly commented on the new draft law on petty offence. The two human rights watchdog NGOs draw the attention to provisions violating the international and domestic law.
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Serbia as a Safe Third Country: A Wrong Presumption
Hungary refuses to examine on the merits asylum claims of asylum-seekers arriving in Hungary through Serbia, based on the wrong presumption that Serbia is able and willing to provide protection to these persons. This practice is in breach of Article 3 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
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Human rights NGOs call on Hungarian government to regularly consult civil society to effectively implement UN Human Rights Council UPR recommendations
On 21/09/2011, human rights NGOs met with delegates of the Hungarian Government to discuss future steps of implementing the recommendations accepted by the government in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
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Strasbourg Human Rights Court rules Hungary held asylum-seekers in detention unlawfully
The European Court of Human Rights found that two Ivorian asylum-seekers, represented by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, had been held in immigration detention unlawfully for 5 months. Hungary must pay 10 000 EUR to each applicant for damages. The Court’s judgment highlights systemic problems concerning the detention of asylum-seekers in immigration jails in Hungary.
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Unlawful ban on trade union demonstrations
The HCLU and the HHC protest against the decision of the Police banning planned demonstrations of trade unions in front of the Parliament and in the Castle in Budapest. The NGOs claim that the ban has no valid reasons and violates the right to assembly of trade union members. The HCLU helps trade unions to challenge the decision before the court.
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HHC and HCLU comments on draft law on criminal procedure and enforcement of punishments
According to the NGOs’ view, the proposed amendments would allow the prosecutor to prohibit the attorney to attend the hearing of the witness. On the other hand it is a positive step that the draft law would ensure the right of appeal in case of placement in special security cells.
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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 … Read more
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“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. The Helsinki Committee reminds that these steps are especially important considering the high level of intolerance towards minorities in the country.
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Karsai v. Hungary
The HHC’s co-chair represented László Karsai, is a Hungarian historian and university professor before the European Court of Human Rights in a case concerning the applicant’s freedom of expression. In 2004 there was a public … Read more
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NGO assessment of the first wave of legislation by Hungary’s new Parliament
The Eötvös Károly Institute, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and Transparency International Hungary jointly evaluated the first three months of the newly formed Parliament.
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NGOs analyze Government reactions concerning the Venice Commission’s opinion on the new Constitution of Hungary
The Venice Commission issued an opinion on the new Constitution (the “Fundamental Law”) of Hungary in June 2011. Due to the lack of an official Hungarian translation and the misleading statements of government party representatives, the public may have a false impression of the content of the opinion. Therefore, the Eötvös Károly Institute, the HHC and the HCLU have prepared a joint analysis on the reactions of the Government in light of the Venice Commission’s opinion.
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Analysis of the Venice Commission’s opinion on the new Hungarian Constitution and the reactions of the Hungarian government
The Venice Commission issued an opinion on the new Constitution of Hungary in June 2011. Due to the lack of an official translation and the misleading statements of government party representatives, the public may have a false impression on the content on the opinion. Therefore, the Eötvös Károly Institute, the HHC and the HCLU have prepared a joint analysis on the opinion and the related reactions of the governance.
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Government should take Venice Commission’s opinion into account
The opinion of the Venice Commission on the new Constitution of Hungary and the planned cardinal acts is on the agenda of the European Parliament tomorrow. The Hungarian Government declared publicly that it rejects the opinion of the Venice Commission, even though it considered the Commission as an important experts’ body before, e.g. in the case of the Slovakian language law. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee warns the Government that cardinal acts should be adopted in line with the opinion of the Venice Commission, otherwise Hungary will isolate itself from other democratic European states.
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Ferenc Kőszeg, HHC founding president’s speech on the anniversary of Moscow Helsinki Group
Ferenc Kőszeg, Founding President of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee gave a speech on 12 May 2011 in Moscow, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the foundation of the Moscow Helsinki Group.
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UN Committee Against Torture (CAT)
Documents related to the Fourth Periodic Report of Hungary
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Prison guard ill-treating detainee deemed guilty – the detainee was represented by the HHC
A prison guard ill-treating a detainee in July 2010 in the Budapest High and Medium Scurity Prison was found guilty by the Regional Court of Budapest on 30 March 2011. The decision is final. The … Read more
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Open letter to MPs to vote NO on Bela Pokol’s nomination for Constitutional Court justice
The HHC calls on the members of the Hungarian Parliament to not support the election of Béla Pokol as a new member of the Constitutional Court. Mr. Pokol has expressed his views about the separation of power and checks and balances numerous times. In a recent article, for example, Mr. Pokol claimed that “if in a given community a national or ethnic minority’s behavior leads to a higher crime rate then the principle of equal treatment might be discarded.”
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Why do we need criminal defence counsel?
Protest against denying certain criminal defendants access to defense counsels