Human rights in Hungary

Human rights in Hungary are protected by the country's Constitution of Hungary. Laws made by the National Assembly and checks from groups like the Council of Europe help make sure everyone is treated fairly.

Some groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have shared concerns about how human rights are cared for in Hungary. This has happened mostly during the time when Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party have been in charge since 2010.

Understanding these rights is important because they help keep people safe. They make sure that everyone is treated with dignity, no matter who they are. Learning about human rights helps us see how countries work to protect their people.

Legal basis

The Constitution of Hungary says the government must protect people’s rights. It lists many rights and makes sure they are the same for everyone. A law from 2003 also guarantees equal treatment for all people in Hungary. Hungary belongs to several groups and treaties that help protect human rights, including joining the Council of Europe in 1990 and following the European Convention on Human Rights.

Since 2010, the government’s focus on protecting human rights has become weaker. Courts now think about human rights less when making decisions, and Hungary sometimes does not follow the rules agreed to by other countries.

Political freedom

The Hungarian government has faced claims that it does not always follow rules about sharing power. Groups like Human Rights Watch have pointed out problems, such as not enough work to stop corruption. Laws that should help people learn about government actions are weak, and many government actions do not need to be shared with the public.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the government was given special powers to make decisions. These powers were used in ways that went beyond keeping people healthy and affected everyday freedoms.

The Democracy Index placed Hungary at 56th out of all countries in 2021. Freedom House said Hungary was "Partly Free" in 2024. In the Corruption Perceptions Index, Hungary was 73rd out of 180 countries in 2021.

Elections

Further information: Elections in Hungary

There have been worries about how elections are run in Hungary. Reports, such as one from the OSCE in 2018, say the government uses strong words to scare people who might watch the elections. Sometimes, there aren’t enough independent watchers to make sure everything is fair.

The ruling party has been accused of using government money and tools to make it harder for other parties to win. They’ve also been accused of creating fake opposition candidates to split the vote and making life harder for people who work against them. State media often supports the government’s campaigns, and officials watch opposition activities closely.

Civil liberties

The Constitution of Hungary promises people the right to share their ideas and speak freely. But there are some limits, like laws against spreading harmful messages. People can protest, but there are rules that make it harder to do so near certain places.

Most news in Hungary is controlled by the government. This makes it hard for independent reporters to share their stories. Journalists who speak out against the government sometimes face problems. The United Nations has said that Hungary's freedom of the press is limited.

People in Hungary have the right to a fair trial. But some worry that the government's control over courts affects fairness. Conditions in prisons are not always good.

The government has been watched for watching others, like journalists and politicians, without always getting permission first. Students have the right to go to school, but the government has taken more control over what universities can teach.

Human trafficking

Main article: Human trafficking in Hungary

Hungary is a place where people, including children, are moved or sold against their will. In 2020, the government made a plan to fight this problem until 2023. By 2021, the U.S. Department of State said Hungary's efforts were getting better but still not enough. The law in Hungary can punish people involved in these activities with long prison sentences, especially if children are affected.

Certain groups in Hungary, like those who are poor, have less education, or belong to the Romani community, are more at risk. Children, especially those who are alone or from difficult situations, are also vulnerable. Migrants and refugees face higher risks too. This makes it harder to protect everyone from being moved or sold against their will.

Discrimination

Further information: Racism in Hungary

Some ideas in Hungary have led to unfair treatment of people who are different. During a big movement of people moving across Europe in 2015, many in Hungary did not want refugees to come into the country. The Romani people, an ethnic group in Hungary, often face unfair treatment at work and in schools. There have been concerns about how the government treats Romani children.

Main article: Freedom of religion in Hungary

Hungary’s laws say everyone can choose and practice their religion. But some say the rules are not fair to smaller groups. The government has been accused of treating some religions unfairly.

Main article: LGBT rights in Hungary

Further information: Recognition of same-sex unions in Hungary

Laws in Hungary say that marriage is only between a man and a woman. The government has made rules that make it harder for people in same-sex relationships to adopt children or have their relationships recognized.

See also: Women in Hungary

Hungary’s laws say men and women should be equal, but many women still face unfair treatment. Women are not well represented in government jobs, and some policies seem to encourage old ideas about what women and men should do.

Human rights organizations in Hungary

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee is a group that helps protect people's rights. It started in 1989. It supports people who are away from home, those in jails, and people treated unfairly by police or others in charge of safety.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is another group that works to protect rights. It began in 1994.