Hungary

The Monitor and Research Group reported a physical assault; one case of graffiti being drawn on the same synagogue on three different occasions; three incidents of desecration of cemeteries, involving damage to more than 100 tombs; and three incidents of desecration of Holocaust memorials. The Monitor and Research Group and Athena Institute both reported one incident of graffiti on a Jewish memorial site and one physical assault by a group against the president of the South-Pest Jewish Community.

The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organisation reported one incident of damage to property.

The Háttér Support Society reported three cases of threats and physical assaults, including one death threat and assault against man who was followed after getting off a bus, and one threat and assault against a man by his neighbours; four further cases of threats; one case of incitement to violence against 31 participants in a gay pride event involving the publication of the organizers’ and participants’ personal details, including their names and location of their hotels; one case of physical assault against several gay men; and the murder of a gay man in his apartment, by stabbing.

The Holy See reported ten cases of damage to church property; 89 cases of church desecrations, including seven involving thefts of church property. Hungarian authorities have verified these cases and informed ODIHR of the status of the investigations. While in the majority of the cases the investigation was suspended due to a lack of an identified perpetrator, in four cases the investigation is ongoing or the case has moved to the prosecution stage. Based on information from the police, Hungarian authorities confirmed that no bias motive was found in the cases.

The Athena Institute reported one serious physical assault by a group against Nigerian refugees, involving pepper spray and brass knuckles.

The Mahatma Gandhi Human Rights Organization reported one physical assault in a prison against a Kenyan man carried out by a group.

The Athena Institute and the European Roma Rights Centre reported one case of damage to Roma homes by stone-throwing during an anti-Roma rally. The Athena Institute reported a further case of threats against a Roma family involving a gun; two incidents of graffiti, both on houses inhabited by Roma families; and one physical assault against a Roma man resulting in serious injury.

The European Roma Rights Centre reported a further case of threats with knives against a group of Roma teenagers on two occasions on the same day; four physical assaults, including against a pregnant Roma woman and her partner, and against a Roma family with a small child; and one case of arson against the home of a Roma family.