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. These rules help make sure everyone is treated fairly and with respect.

Some groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have spoken up about worries they have regarding how human rights are cared for in Hungary. This especially happened during the time when Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party have been in charge since 2010.

It is important to understand these rights because they help keep people safe and ensure that everyone, no matter who they are, is treated with dignity. Knowing about human rights helps us understand how countries work to protect their citizens.

Legal basis

The Constitution of Hungary says that the main job of the government is to protect people’s rights. It lists many rights that are protected and makes sure these rights are treated 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, under the leadership of the Fidesz party, 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 human rights rules agreed to by other countries.

Political freedom

The Hungarian government has faced claims that it bypasses important rules about how leaders should share power. Groups like Human Rights Watch have pointed out problems, such as not enough work to stop corruption. Laws that should help people get information about what the government is doing are weak, and many government actions don’t need to be shared with the public.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the government was given special powers to make decisions without regular checks. 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 while ignoring the ruling party’s actions.

Civil liberties

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

Most news in Hungary is controlled by the government, making it difficult for independent reporters to share their stories. Journalists who speak out against the government sometimes face problems or have their work shut down. The United Nations has said that Hungary's freedom of the press is limited.

People in Hungary have the right to a fair trial, and suspects are told about any charges against them. However, some worry that the government's control over courts affects fairness. Conditions in prisons are not always good, and there are more people in prison than there are spaces.

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, especially on certain subjects.

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, as the government does not always check them closely for signs of being trafficked. This makes it harder to protect everyone, especially children, from being moved or sold against their will.

Discrimination

Further information: Racism in Hungary

Right-wing ideas have led to problems with unfair treatment of minorities and people who are different in Hungary. 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, who are 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 has the right to choose and practice their religion. But some say the rules about recognizing religions are unfair to smaller groups. The government has been accused of treating some religions unfairly and spreading ideas that make people distrust others because of their beliefs.

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. There have also been limits on how information about different types of families can be shared.

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 in work and family life.

Human rights organizations in Hungary

The Hungarian Helsinki Committee is a group that works to protect people's rights. It was started in 1989 and helps people who are away from their homes, people who are held in places like jails, and those who face rough treatment by police or others in charge of safety.

The Hungarian Civil Liberties Union is another group that focuses on protecting rights. It began in 1994.