Protect Freedom in Hungary!

Huge Roma rights victories in Tiszavasvári and Miskolc again - It was only a few months ago that we won the most significant anti-discrimination case in Hungary against the local government of Miskolc. Now we have won the case on the second instance as well. the authorities’ practice of joint raids against the families living in the slums of the city incited us to file a case against them. From 2011 on, systematic raids and harassment have been targeted at the Roma population, multiple authorities visited families unannounced on many occasions, checking their belongings, too. The aim of these measures seems to beto chase these families away from the city.

Another long procedure came to its end in April. We succeeded in convincing the Supreme Court that the Tiszavasvári local-government discriminated and harassed the Roma by inviting and contracting a radical paramilitary group, the Legion of Honor, as law enforcement support. The local-government has been fined, ordered to renounce the discriminatory practice and publish the order of the court.

Don’t shoot the messenger - One of our clients sent us horrifying recordings of physical and verbal abuse against disabled inhabitants of a state-maintained nursing home in Mozsgó. On the client’s definite appeal we could only turn to the ombudsperson and not the law enforcement authorities as only the ombudsperson’s office has the permission to monitor state-maintained facilities by paing surprise visits, moreover it is also entitled to hide the identity of the original source of the information. A great media scandal started when the report was published and the Ministry of Human Resources planned to prosecute the HCLU. However, evidence and the published report convinced the Ministry to submit a criminal complaint against the unknown persons ill-treating patients in the institution, and to initiate an internal investigation in the nursing home instead. We are happy that the authorities recognized their responsibility and the first step has been taken in order to prevent such cases of abuse against disabled people.

Stop the propaganda - Public media blatantly does not abide by the election rules and runs  campaigns for the governing party openly, even now, during the EP elections. HCLU has shown that it is possible to stop this practice. Upon our call, one of the opposition parties joined us in our objection and the public television was fined by the National Election Committee. The cynical propaganda and the way it aims to influence is total nonsense - this is why we stand up against this practice whenever we can.

Thank you for your support of protecting freedom in Hungary.