• EU: Rights Abuse at Home Ignored
    Jan 22, 2012
    The European Union and member governments proved unwilling to tackle human rights abuse at home during 2011, even as they proclaimed the issue’s importance in inspiring the Arab Spring, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.
  • Hungary: Reverse Interference with Courts, Media
    Jan 6, 2012
    The Hungarian government’s interference with judicial independence and media freedom violates its international obligations and puts human rights at risk.
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  • Human Rights in Hungary

    A discriminatory new constitution and a raft of legal changes adopted by the government during 2011 appear designed to neutralize judicial, media, and political checks on executive authority and to preserve the influence of the ruling Fidesz party. A leading independent radio station had its licence cancelled in December by a new media regulator run by ruling party loyalists. Hungary sends migrants and some asylum seekers who reach its borders by passing through Ukraine back to that country despite evidence of ill-treatment there. Roma face harassment and threats from vigilante groups. 

Reports

Hungary

  • EU: Rights Abuse at Home Ignored
    Jan 22, 2012
    The European Union and member governments proved unwilling to tackle human rights abuse at home during 2011, even as they proclaimed the issue’s importance in inspiring the Arab Spring, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012.
  • Hungary: Reverse Interference with Courts, Media
    Jan 6, 2012
    The Hungarian government’s interference with judicial independence and media freedom violates its international obligations and puts human rights at risk.
  • Hungary: Reforms Needed to New Constitution
    Jun 23, 2011
    Hungary should address the human rights concerns linked to its new constitution that the Venice Commission raised in its June 20, 2011 report.
  • Hungary: New Constitution Enshrines Discrimination
    Apr 19, 2011
    The new Hungarian constitution approved by parliament contains provisions that could lead to discrimination. President Pál Schmitt should send the constitution back to Parliament to address these and other human rights issues.
  • Letter to Prime Minister Orbán Regarding Aspects of the Hungarian Constitution
    Apr 15, 2011
  • Pulling punches on Hungary media law
    Mar 25, 2011
    On 7 March, after vociferous domestic opposition and the intervention of European Union institutions, the Hungarian parliament amended a controversial and restrictive media law that would have severely curtailed free speech.
  • Hungary: Ruling on Gay March a Human Rights Victory
    Feb 18, 2011
    The Budapest Metropolitan Court’s decision on February 18, 2011, to allow an extended route for a gay pride march was an important victory for freedom of assembly in Hungary, Human Rights Watch said today. The Budapest police had denied permission to extend the route for the march, planned for June 18.
  • Hungary: Media Law Endangers Press Freedom
    Jan 7, 2011
    European Union member states and the European Commission should press Hungary as it assumes the EU presidency to address its own serious human rights shortcomings, beginning with a problematic media law.
  • Hungary’s Chance to Show EU Leadership on Migration Policy
    Dec 16, 2010
    In a few weeks Hungary takes over the EU presidency and with it the difficult task of moving forward the EU's negotiations on a common migration and asylum policy. But Hungary's own record may hamper its chances of leading an EU reform that fully respects the rights of migrants and asylum seekers.
  • Global: Flawed Policies Expose Migrants to Abuse
    Dec 11, 2010
    Many governments’ immigration policies and protection gaps expose migrants to abuse, Human Rights Watch said in a report today in advance of International Migrants Day, December 18, 2010. The abuses include labor exploitation, violence, trafficking, mistreatment in detention, and killings, yet the nations involved offer limited recourse to seek justice.