International Mechanism Submissions

The Advocates for Human Rights, along with NANE Women's Rights Association and PATENT (People Opposing Patriarchy), submitted a Suggested list of issues relating to violence against women in Hungary for the 80th session of the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Pre-Sessional Working Group).

Hungary fails to uphold its obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Despite high rates of domestic violence in Hungary, domestic violence legislation is inadequate. Gaps in the legislation leave out perpetrators who are not either co-habiting or co-parenting with the victim and only the second instance of domestic violence is criminalized. NGOs continue to indicate that support, shelter, and resources for victims of domestic violence are insufficient in Hungary. Efforts to expand resources for victims have been further stifled by the worldwide pandemic. Although Hungary signed the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence in 2014, a May 2020 vote by the Parliament blocked ratification of that treaty.

The authors of the report suggest the following questions for the Government of Hungary:

·         What efforts is the State Party taking to ensure that all forms of domestic violence are punished, in law and in practice?

·         What is the justification for failing to enact a broader definition of domestic violence, both in criminal legislation and in the law on restraining orders?

·         What policies and procedures are in place to ensure that victims of domestic violence are protected from their abusers, even without the involvement of criminal authorities?

·         What professional and public awareness-raising measures have been taken by the State Party to adequately address the issue of rape and sexual violence?

·         How does the State Party ensure that victims of domestic violence receive social and legal assistance proportionate to the scope of the need?

·         What steps, if any, has the State Party taken to prioritize the safety of domestic violence victims during the coronavirus pandemic?