Office of the commissioner for fundamental rights of hungary

Chaired by Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma, the meeting of the Disability Advisory Board, which consists of the representatives of the organisations active in various fields of disability in Hungary was held at the General Directorate of Disability of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary in Debrecen on 15 November 2023. This board assists the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights in performing his tasks related to the independent mechanism under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

Dr. Ákos Kozma attended a conference entitled “Enhancing Independence and Effectiveness” in Strasbourg on 27 October 2023. The speakers of the conference organised by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) discussed the challenges, the applied practices and the achievements of the inquiries into equal treatment as their key topic.

Dr. Ákos Kozma and his staff members conducted an on-site inspection at the Zala County Remand Prison on 24 October 2023 in the framework of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). The Ombudsman was received by Prison Major General, Deputy Director General for Security and Incarceration of the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters Mr. János Schmehl, as well as Prison Colonel, Prison Governor Mr. József Együd.

On 24 October 2023, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights paid a visit to the Elderly Care Home of the Zalaegerszeg Social Care Centre. Dr. Ákos Kozma, together with the staff members of the Department for Equal Opportunities and Children’s Rights of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, found out about the operation of the Zalaegerszeg-based institution and inspected the living conditions of the residents in several care units. The old age home was opened on 15 July 2006, and care services are provided to as many as 98 residents, in three care units, where there are 7 places for residents with high care needs, 24 residents with dementia and 67 residents who require average level care.

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights paid a visit to the Zala County Gondoskodás Integrated Social Care Institution on 24 October 2023. Dr. Ákos Kozma, together with the staff members of the Disability Directorate of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, found out about the operation of the Zalaegerszeg-based institution and inspected the living conditions of the residents in several units, including the Zala County Napraforgó Home of the Gondoskodás Integrated Social Care Institution. At the unit, physical and mental care is provided to the residents with multiple and severe disabilities.

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary announced a new stage of the children’s home renovation programme that was launched in 2021.