Solidarity may Help the Homeless on Cold Days - Statement by the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights to Raise Awareness

According to the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, it is a moral and legal duty of both the state and society to lend a helping hand to those who are vulnerable and in need, no one should be without effective help and a roof above their heads on the cold days. László Székely has also pointed out that the winter crisis period always shows us if and how solidarity works, whether we can pay attention to those in constant danger, living on the streets or in any other uninhabitable place.

The Ombudsman has been monitoring the situation created by the amendment of the Misdemeanour Act, the sanctions imposed on habitual living in public spaces and the provisions of the recently adopted municipal "decree on zones", and reviewing, acting on the complaints received by his office, the constitutional and fundamental legal concerns arising in connection with the aforementioned regulations. The Commissioner has found it disquieting that the recently adopted new regulations unjustifiably subject the vulnerable people concerned to harassment – law enforcement organs also bear great responsibility in this respect. László Székely has stressed that sanctioning should be the last resort in this sphere; real results may be reached only through cooperating with civil and professional organizations, especially now, when the number of those living in extreme poverty, on the verge of homelessness, is on the increase. Our common goal may only be tackling homelessness, not the enforced – virtual – disappearance of the homeless, the covering up of an existing problem. The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights finds is extremely appalling that the number of assaults on the defenceless homeless has been steadily growing.

Upon decision of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, the staff members of his office, just as during the last three winters, are going to take the streets, the subways and the shelters, surveying the operation of the homeless care system – they will publish a comprehensive report on their experiences. The Ombudsman's investigation will also include the analysis of the consequences of the implementation of law enforcement measures and the "solution" based on driving the homeless out of certain public areas of the capital city. In connection with the current situation, Ombudsman László Székely has also emphasized that, although helping is mainly the responsibility of the state and the municipalities, individual members of the society must also feel responsible for each other. Solidarity and humanity, paying attention to and helping the elderly and the sick, our fellow human beings may save lives on the cold days and nights of wintertime. In order to help the homeless in danger, the Commissioner suggests to call the hotline of the Shelter Foundation's Regional Operator Service (06‑1‑338‑4186).