Statement of Commissioner for Fundamental Rights on Human Rights Day - AJBH-EN
Dr. Ernő Kállai
Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Ernő KÁLLAI, Deputy-Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, responsible for the Rights of Nationalities
Studies
2008 Ph.D. degree in legal theory and legal sociology at the Deák Ferenc Doctoral School of Law and Political Sciences, University of Miskolc
1997 - 2002 Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Law and Political Sciences - lawyer
1994 - 1998 Eötvös Loránd University Faculty of Arts - secondary school teacher of history
1990 - 1994 Eszterházy Károly Teacher Training College - teacher specialised in history and music
1994 - 1995 Journalism School - certified journalist
1995 Hungarian Radio - news editor and radio journalist
Employment
2010 Eszterházy Károly College, Faculty of Teacher Training and Knowledge Technology - head of department
2009 University of Debrecen, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences, Department of Constitutional Law - guest professor
2008 Corvinus University of Budapest, Post-graduate specialist training programme in equality and minority issues - mentor and guest professor
2007 Parliamentary Commissioner for National and Ethnic Minority Rights
2002 - 2010 Apor Vilmos Catholic College, Institute of Romology and Applied Social Sciences - head of institute, college professor
1998 Hungarian Academy of Sciences Ethnic and National Minority Research Institute - Head of research group on Romology
1999 - 2002 Miskolc University, Department of Sociology, professor
1996 - 1998 member of staff of the Roma Civil Rights Foundation
1988 - 1997 teacher at various educational institutions
Scholarships
2000 - 2002 Civic Education Project
1997 - 1999 Soros Foundation
1998 - 2002 European Roma Rights Centre
1997 - 1999 Roma Civil Rights Foundation, „Invisible College" for Roma students
Public and professional activities
2007 - Member of the Equal Treatment Professional Advisory Board
2002- 2005 Member of the board of trustees of the Autonomy Foundation
1998- 2004 Member of the board of trustees of the Gandhi Public Foundation
Membership of professional organisations
Hungarian Sociological Society - member of the Presidential Board
Hungarian Academy of Science - member of the Public Body
Hungarian Association of Lawyers
Hungarian Society of Political Sciences
Hungarian Ethnographical Society
Awards
2006 Award for Minorities
2005 honoured by the National Gypsy Self-Government for excellence in research
Main areas of research using empirical data survey in the past years
- Emergence of cultural rights of the minority communities'
- The new paradigms of handling of ethnic data
- Roma entrepreneurs in Hungary
- Research on local Gypsy minority self-governments
- The past and present of Gypsy musicians
- The social history of the Hungarian Roma in the 20th century
- Equal opportunities of Roma in Hungary. Self-governance, positive discrimination, and the role of education in improving the situation of the Roma - theoretical and practical models
- The theoretical models and practice in Hungary of local Gypsy minority self-governments
- The cultural autonomy of minorities
Press releases
null Statement of Commissioner for Fundamental Rights on Human Rights Day
Statement of Commissioner for Fundamental Rights on Human Rights Day
On this day, we remember that human rights are not privileges but fundamental rights that every person is entitled to. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was approved by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, and we have celebrated this day as the Day of Human Rights since 1950 all over the world. The Declaration is one of the drivers of the process in the wake of which the accountable human rights and fundamental principles had become international standards, as well as genuine and enforceable rights in an increasing number of the world’s countries. The Declaration means a common language and a common minimum requirement, disregarding which for any reason or interest, or neglecting peace, security and humanness, are unforgivable and unacceptable.
The protection of fundamental rights does not only mean the observance of laws but also, standing up for justice and humaneness in all circumstances. In our days when in many parts of the world, the victims of wars, discrimination and restrictions of freedom are fighting for their dignity, it is our common obligation to remind ourselves and others that human rights are universal and indivisible.
We find those institutions and values especially important which protect the weak and ensure that no one is left alone when their rights are violated. Human rights are protected not only in words but also, in actions. This is why it is especially important to stand up against prejudice, exclusion and discrimination together.
In the opinion of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, social solidarity, justice and equality can be maintained despite all difficulties. The protection of human rights is a responsibility that does not only serve the present generations but also, future ones. This is why we are asking everybody to ally with those who cannot enforce their rights on their own.
10 December is not only a day to celebrate but also, a warning: the fight for human rights can never end. Our commitment to human dignity and freedom is the best guarantee for building a fairer and more humane world, said Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma.