Hungary

In 2019, the police issued an instruction on implementing police tasks related to the management of hate crimes in a uniform manner (instruction no. 30/2019 (VII.28), hereafter the "ORFK instruction"). Accordingly, criminal authorities must take into account indicators of prejudice (bias) when detecting and investigating of crimes, with the aim of eliminating and responding effectively to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Examples of such indicators are provided, including objective facts and circumstances that may lead police to conclude that a crime was committed partly or entirely because of a prejudiced motive. A police officer is furthermore required to investigate the possible presence of the perpetrator's prejudicial motive for all offences in the course of their commission. The acting police officer must support the victim by communicating with them in a calm and objective manner. It is forbidden to blame the victim, to display a police officer's personal judgment, use words and phrases related to the victim's behaviour, culture or community, or use stereotypical or prejudiced terms. In criminal proceedings, the police are required to pay particular attention to the specific needs of the victim and inform them of the progress of the investigation and of contacts with the investigating authority. At each police station, mentors should be appointed to facilitate the detection of hate crimes, and the county (capital) police station should appoint at least one hate crime focal point whose identity and contact details shall be communicated to the local police authorities. Appointed officials are primarily investigators, but also instructors.