On 22-23 January, 2020, the Committee on the Rights of the Child concluded its consideration of the sixth periodic report of Hungary on how the provisions of the Convention on the Rights of the Child are implemented. Ann Skelton, Co-rapporteur for Hungary thanked the delegation for the candour with which it had answered the Committee’s questions. Luis Ernesto Pedernera Reyna, Committee chairperson stressed that the best thing for the children of Hungary would be the best thing for the country as a whole.
Mr. Attila Beneda, Deputy Secretary of State in charge of Family Affairs in the Ministry of Human Capacities, Head of the Hungarian delegation highlighted in his remarks (see below) that the Government of Hungary is firmly committed to the promotion and protection of the rights of children and to the support of families. Protection of the rights of children is addressed by comprehensive measures in Hungary and our family policy is currently one of the most supportive in the world.
“Mr Chair, Mme Vice-Chair,
Distinguished Members of the Committee,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me that I can be here today as the leader of the Hungarian delegation, 30 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In Hungary we believe that in a constantly changing world one thing cannot and must not be questioned: the rights of the child. Hungary is devoted to the cause of children’s rights not merely on a legislative level, in its Fundamental Law as well as in the fourth book of the Civil Code, but also in practice.
My name is Attila Beneda, I am Deputy Secretary of State in charge of Family Affairs in the Ministry of Human Capacities responsible for the protection and promotion of the rights of children and youth. The Ministry of Human Capacities is responsible for the following fields: Family affairs and protection of the rights of children, Sport, Culture, Social Affairs, Healthcare, Public Education. Thanks to the strong cooperation among these fields and them being incorporated into one Ministry, it is possible to work for child protection more efficiently and more effectively.
Let me say a few words about the composition of the Hungarian delegation. It consists of representatives from the Ministry of Justice, colleagues from the Ministry of Interior as well as from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is my pleasure to let you know, that judges who are members of the Hungarian Supreme Court and the National Office of Judiciary independent from the government take part in our delegation.
Let me start with emphasizing that the Government of Hungary is firmly dedicated to address family-related issues and the commitment of having children as a value and to provide them with great protection. The well-being of children is strongly connected to the support of families. We are living in a world that exposes us to the insecurities of an ever-changing economic environment, and these changes have a direct and fundamental impact on the life of families. Empowered families have a better chance to resist economic challenges. The most important dimension of the Hungarian family policy is to strengthen families with all possible means at our disposal.
In Hungary, the protection of the rights of children is addressed with comprehensive measures. I would like to give you an overview of our most recent measures related to child protection and the rights of the child.
For the best interest of the child the policies of the Hungarian government aim at improving the social situation of families and communities, especially Roma and those living in poverty, with socialization and lifestyle disadvantages. They focus on offering more knowledge and creating more job opportunities, as well as breaking the poverty spiral. In recent years, we have taken a higher, more effective level of social inclusion. The basis of our work is the Hungarian National Social Inclusion Strategy, adopted in 2011, with financial support from the EU and domestic budget sources.
Significant organizational changes have taken place in the social inclusion policy: from 2019, the Deputy State Secretariat, headed by the Ministry of Human Capacities, has been transferred to the Ministry of Interior. With the implementation of social inclusion work on the ground it has been given new foundations.
Programs to increase the chances of disadvantaged children included in the Hungarian National Social Inclusion Strategy will continue in 2020 – among others: Sure Start Children Houses, Study hall program, College Plus Program, On the road Scholarship Program, The Roma Minority Study Scholarship, Prevention of early school leaving for Roma girls.
Since 2015, we have extensively expanded the circle of children eligible for free catering. As a result, an average of 70% of children attending nursery and kindergarten receives free meals. In primary and secondary schools, an average of 50% of children is eligible for free catering or meals at a reduced price. Since 2016, children in need have received free catering during school holidays. In addition, pupils attending years 1-9 in schools receive their text books free of charge.
One of the main social policy goals of the Government is to create opportunities and ensure the rights of children guaranteed by the Constitution. The Government is committed to provide a focused, effective and targeted assistance to families and professionals supporting them. The basic aim is to give children, at a young age, the necessary support and adequate social services they need for their physical, mental and intellectual development.
We pay particular attention to the rights of children with disabilities. With this in mind we introduced a long-term concept, which aims at placing minors raised in specialized child protection services in a family environment rather than institutional care. In connection with this, as of 2020, the Law on Child Protection – which sets out guarantees for the enforcement of children's fundamental rights – was amended to include subsidized housing in the form of residential care.
Number of measures were introduced for the health and well-being of family members, including the Health Professional Guideline on maternity and new-born care based on family-friendly principles that was published in December 2019. Another important step was the wage increase of health visitors. As of July 1, 2019, their basic salary was increased by eight percent as part of a multi-step salary increase program, affecting 4,400 nurses. Further salary increases are planned, 14 percent in January 2020, and another 20 percent in November.
The measures presented above are only the main ones taken by the Government of Hungary in order to make the aims of the convention to become reality. Also let me take the opportunity on behalf of the Government to express our great appreciation to the work done by the Committee to effectively protect and promote the rights of children all around the world. We are confident that the members of the Committee seek to help us to make Hungary be even better in terms of child protection.
We know that there are still fields where work can be done, and that the key principle is relentless work towards the full realization of the rights of the child. International law, together with our constitution prompt us constantly, that all policies affecting children should be developed in the best interests of the child. We are always ready to introduce new measures whenever we experience any violations or abuses of the rights of the child or whenever we consider the interest of a child not being respected or protected. We consider our family policy as one of the most supportive and most comprehensive in Europe and in the world, and we are well aware that no family policy can be successful without taking the rights of the child into account.
That being said, the Hungarian delegation has come here today to conduct a constructive dialogue. The measures and results of the last 5 years are part of a long-term commitment of the Government of Hungary to keep family policy at the centre of its vision of the future, we continue to take steps to support families and children. Therefore we are looking forward to all your questions and remarks.
Thank you!”