Hungarian Disability Caucus presents its concerns

In Geneva, Switzerland, Hungarian activists joined as the Hungarian Disability Caucus to highlight their urgent concerns regarding the respect by the Republic of Hungary of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities.

The event, hosted by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and the European Disability Forum (EDF) took place on the fringe of the 7th session of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD Committee).

Precipitating the constructive dialogue with Hungary that the UN CRPD Committee will hold during its 8th session in September, the Hungarian Disability Caucus has formulated its views on the Hungarian progress to fulfill the country’s obligations under the Convention, ratified by Hungary in 2007.

Country rapporteur, Serbian Damian Tatic is responsible for drafting the List of Issues – the series of supplementary questions to the Hungarian government to clarify the issues contained in the government’s report. Tatic stressed the importance of a frank dialogue with the organizations of disabled people to getting a clear picture of Hungarian progress towards realization of rights.

The delegation from the Hungarian Disability Caucus, represented by the National Council of Disabled Persons’ Organizations, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union and the Mental Disability Advocacy Center, denounced the regression of the rights of Hungarians with disabilities caused by the tremendous legislative reform that started in.

The Caucus delegates said that "the government’s blatant disregard for its obligation under Article 4(3) UNCRPD to actively involve the organizations of persons with disabilities in the implementation work is a grave concern for the Hungarian disability and human rights community. The gravity of the situation is manifested by the non-transparent and malfunctioning procedures, short consultation deadlines and cuts to organizations’ project funding.”