Office of the commissioner for fundamental rights of hungary

On 15 April 2020, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma paid a visit to the Sátoraljaújhely - Slovenské Nové Mesto border crossing point at the Hungarian-Slovakian border. The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights checked the Slovakian-Hungarian border crossing point, which is open between the two countries during the emergency declared due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the entry of international transport, i.e. trucks that transport goods to Hungary, the border crossing point allows the citizens of both countries, those who live and work in a zone of 30 kilometers, i.e. those who commute to work, to cross the border.

Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma paid a visit to the Sátoraljaújhely Strict and Medium Regime Prison on 15 April 2020. The Ombudsman was received by Major General, Director General of the Hungarian Prison Service Dr. Tamás Tóth, and Colonel, Commander of the prison establishment Mr. Tamás Rózsahegyi.

On 15 April 2020, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma paid a visit to the Záhony – Čop border crossing point at the Hungarian-Ukrainian border.

On 14 April 2020, Dr. Ákos Kozma paid a visit to the Operations Management Centre of the National Police Headquarters. The Ombudsman was received by Lieutenant General and National Chief of Police Dr. János Balogh, and Major General and Deputy National Chief of Police Dr. Zsolt Halmosi at the building of the National Police Headquarters on Teve Street. During the visit, the heads of the National Police Headquarters informed the Ombudsman about the police measures that have become necessary as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and the directing system of these measures operated by the National Police Headquarters.

On 14 April 2020, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma paid a visit to the Ipolyság-Parassapuszta border crossing point. The Ombudsman, accompanied by Director of Police Complaints Department Dr. Domonkos Wildner, surveyed the control of freight traffic crossing the Hungarian-Slovakian border. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, both Hungary and Slovakia closed its borders from foreign citizens. The border crossing point at Parassapuszta is currently one of those common border crossing points which are open for international road freight transport and cross-border commuters during the state of danger.

In the extraordinary emergency situation caused by the current pandemic, we express our gratitude to those tirelessly working in healthcare day after day. Those professionals, however, whose perseverance is now being widely reported in the news, do their best not only in the current circumstances – in fact, they hold the fort all the time. Thus, it is important for us to learn to appreciate health each day of our life, and also, to value the resolve, patience and care demonstrated by those working in healthcare, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma underlined on the occasion of World Health Day.