Topic: Justice
Anybody may become defenceless in the face of the state’s power.
Strasbourg court finds placement in special security regime in prison is inhuman and degrading
The European Court of Human Rights found that Hungary has breached the ban on inhuman and degrading treatment in the case of Csüllög v Hungary. The applicant was represented by the Helsinki Committee’s lawyer. The case concerned the placement of a prison inmate in a special security regime in the Satoraljaujhely prison for two years. The applicant had no opportunities to challenge his placement in the regime. It follows from the Court’s judgment that Hungary has to improve detention conditions and revise rules on legal remedies available to inmates.
Events of concern in Hungary during the country’s EU presidency
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has prepared a summary on the events of concern happened in Hungary in the course of the country’s EU presidency, with special regard to the signs of racism and intolerance and the adoption of the new Constitution of Hungary.
HHC project on consultative forums between civilians and local police wins Austrian Sozialmarie prize
Projects could be submitted to the Sozialmarie which attempt to deal with a social problem from a new point of view applying creative, original methods. The program of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee in which we organized local “civil-police consultations” won a 1000 euro prize.
NGOs inform the press on Hungary’s human rights performance in advance of UPR review
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a new and unique human rights mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council aiming at improving the human rights situation in each of the 192 UN Member States. Hungary’s human rights performance will be reviewed on 11 May 2011.
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.
Budapest Police acknowledge that restricting access to Parliament Square in 2006 was disproportionate
In 2006, the police restricted access to the square in front of the Parliament of Hungary. Thus, for a while, it was not possible to demonstrate on the square. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has claimed that the … Read more
The first civil-police consultation organized by the HHC in the VIIIth district of Budapest was successful
The first civil-police consultation between the Budapest VIIIth District Police and the local organizations representing the Józsefváros inhabitants was held in April by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. The aim of the consultation was building trust … Read more
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.
Six NGOs call on authorities to act about the situation in Hajdúhadház
HHC turned to the ECtHR concerning the accessibility of data on ex officio appointed defence counsels
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee submitted an application to the European Court of Human Rights after the Supreme Court of Hungary had ruled that the names of appointed counsels and the number of cases in which … Read more
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
HHC and HCLU turn to the Constitutional Court regarding the
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU) submitted a joint petition to the Constitutional Court, requesting the Court to repeal the Act of Parliament nullifying the court decisions brought in connection … Read more
NGOs turn to the Minister of Interior regarding the tensions between right-wing radicals and the Roma in Gyöngyöspata
The HCLU, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Legal Defence Bureau for National and Ethnic Minorities wrote a joint letter to Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér. The human rights NGOs requested the Minister to immediately … Read more
Nullification law: In a state governed by the rule of law, the legislator just creates law while courts apply it
According to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the „nullification law” proposed by Fidesz MP István Balsai violates the division of powers and the criminal procedure based on the rule of law. According to the proposal, an … Read more
HHC warns of populist rhetoric in proposed new Constitution – possibility of life sentence without parole
Some people suggest that the new constitution of Hungary should make capital punishment possible. What do you think? Others would like if citizens no longer had to pay taxes. What is your opinion? There are … Read more
HHC and HCLU help organisers to challenge police ban on Budapest Pride
The Budapest Pride March was banned by the Budapest Police Headquarters. The HHC and the HCLU helped the organizers of the Budapest Pride to challenge the police ban before court.
European Court of Human Rights finds Hungary in breach in a pre-trial detention case taken by HHC
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in its decision dated 11 January 2011 that the pre-trial detention of a 27-year old man was unjustified. According to the ECtHR, the applicant should not have been … Read more
Arguments for combatting hate crime as a human rights NGO
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has received a number of letters claiming that the NGO raises its voice against bias attacks againt Roma persons, but does not do so in case of criminal offenses committed by persons perceived to be Roma. Balázs Tóth, programme coordinator of the HHC and Ferenc Kőszeg founding president exhchanged long letters with one of correspondents. The letters were published in the periodical titled Beszélő with the consent of those affected.
General climate of intolerance in Hungary
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee has prepared a document on the signs of intolerance of the Hungarian society and the authorities against the Roma minority, the LGBT community and Jewish people. The English version … Read more