Office of the commissioner for fundamental rights of hungary

The UN Human Rights Council held its Social Forum on the 8th and 9th of October, which this year focused on the theme of combatting poverty and inequalities. To enrich this interactive dialogue and to share the experience of the Hungarian national human rights institution, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma also participated in the Forum via a video message (with regard to the restrictions due to the pandemic).

On 7 October 2020, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma visited the Vác Strict and Medium Regime Prison. Accompanied by Director General of the Hungarian Prison Service Headquarters, Correctional Commissioner, Major General Dr. Tamás Tóth, Commander of the penitentiary institution, Colonel Dr. Viktor Füzesi and Executive Director of the Duna-Mix Ltd., Colonel Lóránt Szakolczai, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights inspected the developments that had recently been carried out at the penitentiary institution with a capacity to house 645 persons.

On 7 October 2020, Dr Ákos Kozma held a meeting with National Commander of the Hungarian Prison Service, Major General Dr Tamás Tóth, who informed the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights on the prison organisation’s programme aimed at increasing the number of prison places.

On 7 October 2020, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights Dr. Ákos Kozma visited the “Liget” Nursing and Residential Care Home and Day Care Institution for Persons with Disabilities in Szolnok, where he was received by the head of the institution Mr. Tibor Szummer. During the on-site visit, the Ombudsman inspected the implementation of the healthcare measures taken in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the living conditions of the persons in care.

On 25 September 2020, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma and his staff members conducted an on-site inspection at the Police Departments in Tamási and Fonyód in the framework of the OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

On 25 September 2020, Ombudsman Dr. Ákos Kozma paid an official visit to the Vas County Directorate for Disaster Management, as well as to two offices and professional fire brigades of the directorate in Körmend and Szombathely.