Office of the commissioner for fundamental rights of hungary

In order to provide direct help to the refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights opened a new information point at the BOK Sports Hall (Budapest Olympic Centre) on 29 March 2022. From now on, the staff members of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, which is a National Human Rights Institution accredited by the United Nations, can provide administrative and legal assistance to those turning to them at the humanitarian transit point set up by the Government in Budapest (in addition to Záhony and Beregsurány), while assisting in the humanitarian relief efforts of the capital.

On 24 March 2022, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma opened the Pécs Regional Office of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights. Thus, as of 1 April, complainants will be able to initiate ombudsman’s procedures in person not only in Budapest but also in six major cities outside the capital, which is a unique achievement also in the international practice.

On 23 March 2022, Dr. Ákos Kozma, responsible for performing the tasks of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) operating on the basis of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), and his staff members conducted an on-site inspection at the Veszprém County Remand Prison.

On 24 March 2022, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma opened the Székesfehérvár Regional Office of the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights. Thus, as of 1 April 2022, citizens will be able to request in person the Ombudsman’s inquiry not only in Budapest, Szeged, Debrecen and Győr, but also in this major city of Central Transdanubia.

On 24 March 2022, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma held an online consultation with Chief Ombudsman for New Zealand Mr. Peter Boshier about the issue of the situation of people arriving in Hungary, fleeing the war in Ukraine.

On 23 March 2022, Regional Migration Researcher of the International Committee of the Red Cross Ms. Jessica Chillemi and Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross to Hungary Mr. Frédéric Boyer were received by Secretary General Dr. Balázs Könnyid at the Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights.