Sleeping rough in public areas has become an offence in Hungary.
The constitutional amendment, brought in by Viktor Orban’s government, prohibits “habitual residence in a public space”. It came into force yesterday, after being passed by the parliament of Hungary in June.
Under the new legislation, police in Hungary are given the power to remove rough sleepers from the streets and dismantle any shelters they build. If rough sleepers are arrested three times over a 90-day period, police will be able to detain them and destroy their belongings.
The government of Hungary has claimed it is increasing funding for homeless provision and that the new measures are in “the interests of society as a whole…[to ensure] citizens can make use of public space unimpeded”. Representatives for homelessness charities say they were not consulted before the amendment was made and that the new measures will intimidate and distress rough sleepers, rather than helping them.
Hungary has around 20,000 homeless people and around 11,000 beds available in shelters.
Last month the European Parliament voted to begin legal action against the government of Hungary, with one MEP’s report singling out the country’s treatment of its homeless as a “clear risk of a serious breach” of the EU’s founding values. The report also criticised Hungary’s attacks on the judiciary, restricted freedom of expression and asylum laws.
The United Nations, the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, along with various rights groups, have all expressed concern about Hungary’s treatment of its citizens. Amnesty International has issued a legal challenge to a Hungarian law which prohibits aiding or supporting migrants and asylum seekers.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on EU foreign ministers, who will meet later today to discuss the situation in Hungary, to take action against Hungary under the terms of the EU Treaty. Lydia Gall, Eastern European researcher at HRW, said: “Member States have a responsibility to stand up for fundamental rights and freedoms, and to speak out against Member States flagrantly breaching those core values.”
