CAT/OP/HUN/2
I. Introduction
1.
In accordance with its mandate under articles 11 and 13 of the Optional Protocol to
the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment undertook its first regular visit to Hungary from 21 to
30 March 2017.
2.
The Subcommittee was represented by Mari Amos (head of delegation), Arman
Danielyan, Nora Sveaass and Aneta Stanchevska. The Subcommittee was assisted by three
human rights officers from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, United Nations security officers and interpreters.
3.
During the visit, the Subcommittee conducted visits to places of deprivation of
liberty, including police stations, remand centres, immigration detention centres, secure
asylum centres, correctional educational establishments for juveniles, psychiatric and
forensic institutions and penitentiary hospitals (see annex I). The Subcommittee held
meetings with the relevant domestic authorities, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights,
the national preventive mechanism, members of civil society and the Regional
Representative for Central Europe of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
(annex II).
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Meetings held with representatives of the national preventive mechanism and of the
Civic Consultative Body provided the Subcommittee with the opportunity to discuss the
national preventive mechanism’s mandate and working methods and to explore ways to
increase its effectiveness. In order to better understand how the mechanism works in
practice, the Subcommittee also visited a place of deprivation of liberty chosen by the
members of the mechanism. The visit was led by those representatives, with the members
of the Subcommittee acting as observers.
5.
At the conclusion of the visit, the delegation presented its confidential preliminary
observations orally to the domestic authorities. The Subcommittee will send a separate
confidential report to the domestic authorities, in which it will make recommendations to
the State party.
6.
The present report sets out the observations and recommendations of the
Subcommittee addressed to the national preventive mechanism of Hungary. The
recommendations are made in accordance with the Subcommittee’s mandate to offer
training and technical assistance and to advise and assist the mechanism, in accordance
with article 11 (b) (ii) and (iii) of the Optional Protocol. The present report remains
confidential unless the mechanism decides to make it public, in accordance with article 16
(2) of the Optional Protocol.
7.
The Subcommittee draws the attention of the national preventive mechanism to the
Special Fund established pursuant to article 26 of the Optional Protocol. Recommendations
contained in visit reports that have been made public may form the basis of an application
for funding for specific projects through the Special Fund, in accordance with its rules.
8.
The Subcommittee wishes to express its gratitude to the national preventive
mechanism of Hungary for its assistance and cooperation during the visit.
II. National preventive mechanism
9.
Hungary acceded to the Optional Protocol in 2012 with a declaration under article
24, postponing the establishment of its national preventive mechanism for three years. In
October 2012, the Subcommittee was notified that, as of January 2015, the Office of the
Commissioner for Fundamental Rights would perform the function of national preventive
mechanism. The Commissioner was confirmed in the role of official national preventive
mechanism of Hungary under chapter III/A of Act CXI of 2011, with effect as of January
2015.
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