Silent demonstration in Budapest for Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre victims – photos

A silent demonstration was held in front of the Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre in Budapest on Sunday afternoon. The event was initiated by publicist Róbert Puzsér on behalf of the Civil Resistance Movement.

Demonstration after demonstration

Organisers asked participants to light candles at the entrance of the institution in remembrance of what they described as “crippled lives”.

Demonstrators placed candles at the gate and left written messages for the residents in boxes provided by the organisers, according to the Hungarian News Agency.

Among those attending the demonstration were Puzsér; influencer and former politician Péter Juhász; leader of the opposition Democratic Coalition (DK), Klára Dobrev; and independent MP Ákos Hadházy.

On Saturday, Péter Magyar’s Tisza Party also held a demonstration in Budapest focused on children’s rights. Protesters gathered outside Sándor Palace, the office of the Hungarian President, as well as the Carmelite Monastery, the Prime Minister’s seat.

• Children in Hungarian state care taken to orgies of politicians: Former child protection head

Here are some photos of Magyar’s protest:

Minors sexually harassed and raped in the Szőlő Street instution

As previously reported, the former director of the Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre, Péter Pál Juhász, was arrested on suspicion of fraud, pimping and other crimes. He remains in pre-trial detention along with two former colleagues. According to authorities, one of the suspects attempted to destroy evidence shortly before police entered the facility.

An initial government investigation concluded that no minors had been harmed. However, subsequent findings revealed that Juhász had sexually abused underage boys under his supervision.

Public attention intensified last week after videos circulated showing the acting director physically abusing detainees. Commenting on the case, Gergely Gulyás, the Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, stated that some inmates had committed serious crimes, including sexual offences and homicide. He nevertheless acknowledged that abuse of detainees is unacceptable.

• Szőlő Street juvenile detention centre scandal continues: shocking videos reveal abuse of minors

During the demonstration, organisers said that responsibility for crimes committed by minors lies with the individuals themselves, but that society bears responsibility for how young offenders are treated in state institutions. They emphasised that juvenile detention centres are intended to support rehabilitation and reintegration.

Read also:

• A TL;DR on Orbán and the Juvenile Center Abuse Story

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