Office of the commissioner for fundamental rights of hungary

Dr. Ákos Kozma and his staff members conducted an on-site inspection at the Tököl Remand Prison on 11 March 2024 in the framework of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). The Ombudsman was received by Prison Lieutenant General, National Commander of the Hungarian Prison Service Dr. Tamás Tóth, Prison Brigadier General, head of cluster 2, Governor of Budapest Strict and Medium Regime Prison Dr. Zoltán Bozsó, as well as Prison Colonel, commander of the institution Mr. László Salgó.

On 1 March 2024, Dr. Ákos Kozma paid an official visit to Luxembourg, where, among others, he met with the Ombudswoman of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Ms. Claudia Monti.

Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary Dr. Ákos Kozma received Commander of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Mr. Kwok-hing WONG, Head of the Incarceration Department of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Mr. Siu-hang CHAN and Governor of Tai Tam Gap Prison Mr. Kee-hang NG and their delegation at his office on 28 February 2024. The meeting was attended by Director General of the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters, Lieutenant General Dr. Tamás Tóth, as well as Deputy Director General for Security and Incarceration, Major General Mr. János Schmehl.

The modernisation of the Balassagyarmat-based Ipolypart Fészek Children’s Home was completed as part of the ombudsman’s children’s home renovation programme. Similarly to the previous years, this year, it was again the National Headquarters of the Hungarian Prison Service (BVOP) and the state forestry companies, including Ipoly Erdő Zrt that took part in the refurbishment of the building. In the delivery of the revamped building, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary Dr. Ákos Kozma, State Secretary for Forests and Land Affairs of the Ministry of Agriculture Mr. Péter Zambó, as well as the representatives of the National Headquarters of the Hungarian Prison Service took part.

Dr. Ákos Kozma participated in and gave a talk at the conference entitled “Human rights – An important factor of the sustainable development of states” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 23 February 2024. Digitalisation, disability, equal opportunities and the role of National Preventive Mechanisms were some of the key topics of the international conference co-organised by the Uzbek Ombudsman, and among others, by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the specialized organs of the UN.

Dr. Ákos Kozma held a professional meeting at the County Police Headquarters in Veszprém. He announced the launching of a comprehensive monitoring activity into the work of school guards serving in the county with regard to the enforcement of fundamental rights on 20 February 2024.