Human rights in Hungary
As part of a process of illiberalization, the state's obligation to protect human rights has weakened under the Fidesz government.
The Freedom of Information Act is limited in its power to require disclosure and many government activities are exempted.
[5] The ruling party of Fidesz has been found to utilize state resources to impede the ability of electoral challengers to compete, and the government has been accused of imposing financial penalties on districts and cities where the opposition is in power.
[8] The government has been accused of running fraudulent opposition candidates to split the vote in Fidesz's favor.
In response to a demonstration in front of the home of the Prime Minister, the government of Hungary has restricted the ability to protest in a way determined to violate privacy rights, and Hungarian police have been given "broad discretionary powers" to enforce this law.
[3] Privacy violations have been targeted against investigative journalists, and the government has issued criminal charges for printing things that it determines to be false.
[12] United Nations special rapporteur for freedom of expression Irene Khan found in a 2021 investigation that free media has been undermined in Hungary.
Suspects can be held for at most 72 hours, after which time a pretrial detention motion must be filed for continued detainment.
The government of Hungary has been found to conduct surveillance on journalists, politicians, and other prominent figures using the Pegasus spyware program and other means.
Government agencies do not require judicial authorization to engage in surveillance against suspected terrorist threats.
[5] As of 2021, the U.S. Department of State classifies Hungary's initiatives to combat human trafficking in the second of four tiers, indicating that its efforts are insufficient but improving.
Hungary's initiatives have been found to be insufficient in regard providing assistance for victims of trafficking, including measures to prevent re-victimization.
[20] The most vulnerable groups regarding human trafficking in Hungary include those in poverty, under-educated young adults, the Romani people, single mothers, asylum-seekers, unaccompanied children, and the homeless.
[19] Right-wing populism has contributed to human rights issues regarding xenophobia, hate crimes, and discrimination against minorities.
[3][16] The government of Hungary is accused of illegally separating Romani children from their families and placing them in long-term state care.
[1] Act C of 2011 and its 2018 amendment set requirements for a religious organization to be recognized by the government and receive benefits from the state.
[22] Hungary has historically been a country of religious pluralism, and the first law guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion was passed in 1895, though state atheism was enforced under the Hungarian People's Republic.
[29][30][31] Government messaging spreads George Soros conspiracy theories that contribute to antisemitism in the country.
[8] The government of Hungary has refused to ratify the Istanbul Convention that establishes standards for combating violence against women.
[16] The Minister for Family Affairs has discouraged women from seeking fulfillment through the same career paths as men.
