Hungarian govt proposes anti-paedophile law with stricter measures, public list

In recent years, the number of crimes in Hungary committed against children seems to have increased. This involves abusing children, domestic violence, or even child pornography or rape. To help counter the latter crimes, the Hungarian government has announced a new measure that would establish a list of people who have committed sexual crimes against children.

According to 24, Fidesz-members Máté Kocsis and Gabrielle Selmeczi have submitted a bill that would tighten the penalty for sexual crimes against children and make a list of perpetrators to help defend the younger generation. Gabriella Selmeczi said that this bill would not allow paedophiles to hide and ever get close to another potential victim.

As 444 also reported, talks about the topic of child protection from paedophiles reignited last summer when Gábor Kaleta, the Hungarian government’s former Ambassador to Peru, was found guilty of storing child pornography on his computer.

Not long after the incident, Viktor Orbán himself promised that protecting children from sexual criminals would be the focal point of their legislation in autumn. Since then, nothing really happened, and what was really upsetting is that Gábor Kaleta only received one year suspended prison sentence and a fine of HUF 540,000 (€1,500)

The government has not used any of the bills submitted by the opposition politicians and has postponed the legislation in the matter until last Wednesday. The new measure seems strict at first, considering that a few years back, this question was regarded as an issue infringing on the safety of one’s information.

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According to the new bill, the authorities should keep a tally of all criminals that have committed a sexual crime against children or underaged people, and that information should be available online.

It would not be a full website per se, but it would be relatively easy for anyone to access the list using their Ügyfélkapu (“Client Gate”, the government’s electronic identification system). The list would include the perpetrator’s full name, date of birth, city of residence, and their portrait.

One of the other main restrictions would be that if someone commits sexual crimes against someone under 12, or if the perpetrator is an official, the criminal penalties that could be imposed will be much harsher, 24 reports.

Gabriella Selmeczi also added that all who have committed a sexual crime against anyone under 18 should also be prohibited from exercising any profession or activity that involves the rearing, education, caring, supervision, treatment of people under the age of 18, or being in a relationship of power or influence with them, with definitive effect.

According to Hvg, who interviewed Ágnes Lux, a child rights expert, this might not help much in protecting children from future crimes. Most of the time, the perpetrator of a sexual crime against a child is a family member or close relative.

Read alsoMan brutally stabs mother in the face in front of their 4-year-old child

Source: 24.hu, 444.hu, Hvg.hu