Hungary

Hungary accused of persecution of the poor

Published in Wednesday March 20th, 2013 In Social movement news

In Autumn 2010, the Hungarian Law on Constructions was amended to allow municipalities to ban homeless people from public spaces. The Hungarian Parliament imposed a $700 fine or jail upon those who repeatedly broke municipal laws regarding “residential habitation in public spaces.” Although this law was ruled unconstitutional by the Hungarian Constitutional Court, the Hungarian Prime Minister has announced that the government intends to prohibit street homelessness in the country’s constitution. This has attracted significant international attention and criticism, and highlights key issues affecting people affected by poverty and homelessness.

Press briefing notes: Hungary, Thailand/Rohingyas and Kenya

Published in Friday March 15th, 2013 In In the media

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Rupert Colville Location: Geneva Date: 15 March 2013 1) Hungary We are concerned about the swift adoption of the most recent amendment to the Fundamental Law (Constitution) by the Hungarian Parliament on 11 March 2013. The amendment was passed without proper public discussion on issues that […]

UN human rights office voices concern over changes to Hungarian constitution

Published in Friday March 15th, 2013 In In the media

The United Nations today expressed concern over Hungary’s adoption of an amendment to the constitution that threatens the independence of its judiciary, and stressed this could have a profound effect on the human rights of its citizens.
According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the amendment to the Fundamental Law (constitution) was adopted by the Hungarian Parliament on Monday without proper public discussion on issues that may affect the population’s human rights.

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Statement Against the Continued Persecution and Criminalisation of Homeless People in Hungary

Published in Tuesday March 5th, 2013 In Social movement news

FEANTSA calls on the Hungarian government to withdraw its proposed amendment to the Hungarian Constitution that will make it possible to fine, arrest and imprison people who are sleeping rough because they have no other options in a vote on 4 March 2013.

Constitutional Revenge

Published in Tuesday March 5th, 2013 In Opinion

The Hungarian government is now seeking revenge for the various defeats it has suffered by introducing into the Parliament a 15-page constitutional amendment that reverses its losses. The mega-amendment is a toxic waste dump of bad constitutional ideas, many of which were introduced before and nullified by the Constitutional Court or changed at the insistence of European bodies. The new constitutional amendment (again) kills off the independence of the judiciary, brings universities under (even more) governmental control, opens the door to political prosecutions, criminalizes homelessness, makes the recognition of religious groups dependent on their cooperation with the government and weakens human rights guarantees across the board. Moreover, the constitution will now buffer the government from further financial sanctions by permitting it to take all fines for noncompliance with the constitution or with European law and pass them on to the Hungarian population as special taxes, not payable by the normal state budget.

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We are not asking for free housing

Published in Monday February 25th, 2013

On the 19th January 2013, homeless activists and their allies squatted an empty building in the 7th district of Budapest. The activists were arrested and now face misdemeanor charges because of disobeying police instructions.

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Justice on the Streets – participatory action research about discrimination against homeless people

Published in Monday February 25th, 2013

In 2011, The City is for All launched a participatory action research project about discrimination experienced by homeless people in Budapest. The study has been a groundbreaking effort in Hungary to involve people who are directly affected by harassment, exclusion and discrimination in scientific research. Click here to read the report.

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UNHCR attacks on Hungarian homeless law

Published in Friday December 21st, 2012 In In the media

Two rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations called on the Hungarian government this week to respect the ruling of the country’s Constitutional Court and refrain from criminalising homelessness. In November the Constitutional Court found as unconstitutional the law adopted last year that set fines or prison sentences on those sleeping rough in public areas for the second time in six months. The UN Special Rapporteurs on extreme poverty and human rights, Magdalena Sepúlveda, and on adequate housing, Raquel Rolnik, stressed that Hungary is required to align its national legislation with its international human rights obligations.

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UN experts urge Hungary to uphold Constitutional Court decision to decriminalize homelessness

Published in Wednesday December 12th, 2012 In News on the Rapporteurs

Two United Nations experts on extreme poverty and housing today urged the Government of Hungary to uphold the recent Constitutional Court decision decriminalizing homelessness, to amend the anti-homeless legislation and to adopt a national housing strategy, which will take into account the needs and views of the homeless and those inadequately housed, in conformity with international human rights obligations.

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Arrest of activists protesting criminalization of homelessness in Hungary

Published in Wednesday November 14th, 2012 In Social movement news

November 14, 2012 On 11 November 2011 the City is For All (AVM) held a demonstration in front of the municipality of Budapest’s 8th district claiming that local mayor Mate Kocsis repeal his proposal to impose a 530 euros fine on homeless people or 60 days of imprisonment for “residing in public places”. Despite the […]

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