Indicator history

During the days of March and April 2011 several distinct, but loosely connected extreme right wing paramilitary groups held provocative exercises and marches in the village of Gyöngyöspata, a settlement with a substantial Roma population[1].

As a reaction to racist paramilitary groups patrolling in towns and villages densely populated by Roma people  in March and April 2011, the Criminal Code has been amended in May 2011  ‘provocatively anti-social’ behaviour against people belonging to national, ethnic, racial or religious communities or certain groups of the population because of the victim’s real or perceived affiliation with the given group may be punished with up to three years of imprisonment (Hungary, Act IV of 1978 Article 174/B (1a)). The amendment also penalizes unauthorized activities to maintain public security or public order (Hungary, Act IV of 1978 Article 217):

According to the justification of the proponent of the Bill the state cannot allow civil groups to appear as keepers of public order without authorization as law enforcement is the state’s monopoly. The justification also notes that expressions which may not translate to violence against a community but which can still incite fear in members of certain groups have become frequent, contributing to ethnic-based tensions.
In May 2011, Act on Petty Offences was also amended. Rules have been tightened on the activities of civil guards, e.g. members of these groups must be aged over 18 with clean police record and shall restrain from wearing a uniform banned by law. Any member of such group acting in breach of the rules may face arrest or a fine of up to HUF 150,000 (approx. €550) (Hungary, Act LXIX of 1999, Article 142/B and 142/C).