What is the problem with unlimited pre-trial detention?
The opinion of the HHC regarding the suggestion of governing party politicians on rules of pre-trial detention
Topic: Justice
Anybody may become defenceless in the face of the state’s power.
Our Statement on the Police Action at Savaria Festival in Szombathely
According to the media and a short video tape policemen applied coercive measures on individuals at savaria festival in szombathely. Based on publicly accessible information, infringement of individuals’ rights may have taken place. It is possible to provide an assessment of the measures adopted by the police force based on facts revealed in a legal procedure.
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.
Submission to the Ombudsman on the “three strikes” rule
The HHC requested the Ombudsman of Hungary to initiate the constitutional review of the “three strikes” rule of the new Criminal Code of Hungary.
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.
HHC briefing for CPT periodic visit to Hungary in 2013
HHC met members of the CPT delegation to Hungary in April 2013.
Advertisers Withdraw From Hungarian Newspaper Over Anti-Roma Statements
Budapest, 5 March 2013: Five companies have said they will no longer place advertising in a Hungarian newspaper that published extreme anti-Roma statements.
NGOs call for advertising boycott over anti-Roma statements in Hungarian media
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee is joining with a coalition of NGOs in asking domestic companies and Hungarian divisions of multinationals to take a stand against racist commentary in Hungary. The NGOs are asking, among others, Vodafone, T-Com, FedEx, IKEA and Procter and Gamble to reconsider advertising in a Hungarian newspaper which published an article talking about Romani people in unacceptably racist and prejudiced language.
Police officers convicted for participating in ill-treatment
During the riots in the autumn of 2006, X. Y. was ill-treated by police officers while being escorted to a police van after his apprehension. The case was witnessed by fellow police officers, who were … Read more
NGO concerns over the termination of the Hungarian member’s mandate in ECRI
NGOs turn to the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers concerned that the Hungarian Government discontinued the membership of Jenő Kaltenbach in ECRI.
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.
Representing opposition party protesters
On 23 December 2011, MPs and activists of the opposition party Politics Can be Different (Lehet Más a Politika, LMP) formed a human chain around the Parliament, chaining themselves to objects at the entrance of … Read more
Pre-trial detention case before the European Court of Human Rights
In July 2012 the HHC submitted an application to the European Court of Human Rights in a case of a 50-year old truck driver with clear criminal record. In 2011 the driver was assigned to … Read more
105 judges turn to Strasbourg court over “forced retirement”
HHC assists 105 judges to file complaints at European Court of Human Rights over mandatory retirement.
Damages for heavy sedation in detention
The HHC’s client was transferred two times to the Judicial and Observation Psychiatric Institute (IMEI) while being in pre-trial detention, since in the respective penitentiary institution’s view he was dangerous to himself. In the IMEI, … Read more
Conference on effective monitoring to prevent torture: promoting OPCAT
The aim of the conference organised by the HHC and the MDAC was to prepare Hungary for the operation of the body monitoring the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty established in the framework of the OPCAT.
Practice of racial profiling against the Roma community is acknowledged by the Police
The notary of the village Rimóc (Northern Hungary) noticed that petty offence fines for lack of mandatory accessories for bicycles (ring, headlights, reflector prisms) are almost exclusively imposed on Roma people in the area, although … Read more
Police ban on Budapest Pride 2012 discriminates against LGBT community
The Budapest Police's decision to ban Budapest Pride 2012 march, citing obstruction of traffic, not only breaches marchers' right to freedom of assembly, but is also severely discriminatory. The Budapest Pride march is scheduled to … Read more
Police unlawfully arrested protesters on Bp bridges
Comments on draft new Criminal Code
The HHC’s 28-page long comments on the draft Criminal Code, published in February 2012. Criminal statistics do not warrant increasingly harsh penal policies planned by the government. Legal institutions that breacht the Fundamental Law and international law (e.g. three strikes law, life-long imprisonment without parole) remained in the draft, and it also contains disproportionate sanctions.