As a result of the government’s measures, creche capacity in Hungary has increased two-fold since 2010, a state secretary at the culture and innovation ministry said on Saturday.
There is capacity for 68,000 children in creches today compared with 32,500 fifteen years ago, Róbert Zsigó said in a video posted on the government’s social media page.
“A big step forward has been taken in overall density of those institutions nationwide with a creche operating now in every third settlement and in every district,” he said.
The Baptist creche in Püspökladány inaugurated in December. Photo: MTI
He called “the financial appreciation” of creche workers important, noting a four-and-half-fold increase of their salaries during the period. “Those who see their careers as creche teachers are also entitled to a grant and other forms of financial support.”
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Hungarian teenage girls are among the heaviest drinkers in Europe, according to a recent article in The Times based on a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The study found that Hungarian girls aged 15 are more likely to get drunk frequently than their peers in almost all other European countries, with only Denmark and the UK showing similar trends.
This revelation places Hungary at the forefront of a concerning European trend where teenage girls are increasingly surpassing boys in alcohol consumption. Over a third of 15-year-old girls in Hungary reported being drunk at least twice, significantly higher than the European average of 23%.
Changing Hungarian drinking patterns
Historically, teenage boys were seen as more likely to drink heavily, but the OECD report highlights a reversal in this trend in 12 European countries, including Hungary. This pattern reflects broader European statistics, where the gap between male and female adolescent heavy drinking rates is narrowing. According to Euronews, heavy episodic drinking among Hungarian adolescents was 44% in boys and 39% in girls, indicating that gender differences in this age group are far less pronounced than among adults.
The findings align with the results of a Hungarian study published in Students in Danger: Binge Drinking Behaviour and Associated Factors in Hungary, which analysed binge drinking behaviours in 2,449 Hungarian students. This study found that 30.5% of Hungarian students were classified as binge drinkers, with notable gender dynamics: among secondary school students, male and female binge drinking rates were nearly identical, but among university students, males significantly outpaced females.
According to a 2019 survey, Hungarian teenagers consumed alcohol for the first time at an average age of 13 years, with girls starting somewhat later than boys, at 13.5 years old.
Moreover, heavy drinking rates among adolescents in Hungary remain alarmingly high. In 2019, the ratio of heavy drinkers among adolescents to adults was over three times higher in Hungary, consistent with findings in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Austria.
The OECD report underscores the role of parental behavior in shaping teenage drinking habits. This is corroborated by the Hungarian study, which highlighted that the family environment and socioeconomic factors strongly influence alcohol consumption patterns. Parental attitudes toward alcohol, early introduction to drinking, and the normalisation of drinking at family gatherings often lead to higher rates of early alcohol use.
The Hungarian study revealed that students with poorer school performance are significantly more likely to binge drink, a correlation especially strong among secondary school students. Additionally, smoking and drug use were found to be the strongest predictors of binge drinking, indicating a broader culture of risky behaviour among teenagers.
Health implications
The rise in alcohol consumption among Hungarian teenage girls raises significant health concerns. Liver disease and other alcohol-related conditions are becoming more prevalent among young women in Hungary, mirroring trends noted in other parts of Europe.
Binge drinking among teenagers and young adults often leads to more frequent consequences compared to adults, including notable health risks like hangovers characterised by headaches and nausea. It also heightens the likelihood of unplanned, unprotected sexual encounters, which may result in unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to the study, excessive drinking in adolescence can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain as well, particularly in the hippocampus, which is vital for memory and learning. Binge drinkers among university students displayed memory deficits, which were even more pronounced among extreme binge drinkers.
Dr. Gabriella Horváth, a hepatologist in Budapest, stated:
“We are seeing an alarming increase in alcohol-related liver disease in women, some as young as their early twenties. This is a wake-up call for public health authorities.”
Health advocates are urging the Hungarian government to implement stricter regulations on alcohol advertising and promote awareness campaigns about the dangers of underage drinking.
As we reported earlier, the Hungarian government has recently enacted stricter regulations on alcohol advertising to curb underage drinking. The revised law bans alcohol advertisements in various contexts, including on the front cover of publications, the opening page of websites, in cinemas before 8 p.m., near schools or health facilities (within 200 metres), and on products designed for children. Additionally, advertising visible from public spaces, such as shop windows, is prohibited, though the definition of “visible from public spaces” remains open to interpretation.
As Hungary grapples with this concerning trend, tackling the cultural and societal factors driving teenage drinking will be key to reversing it. Without action, the country risks a generation facing long-term health and social consequences linked to alcohol abuse.
Hungary’s population is shrinking: the number of births fell by 8.4 percent in November compared with the same month in the previous year, while deaths went down by 4.7 percent, according to preliminary data published by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the number of marriages went down by 12 percent with 2,724 couples tying the knot.
Photo: Pexels
Fully 6,196 children were born in November, while there were 10,267 deaths, KSH reports.
The natural population loss was 4,071 people compared with 4,005 in November 2023.
Fully 77,703 children were born between December 2023 and November 2024, 9.7 percent less than in the same period twelve months earlier. Altogether 127,835 people died between December 2023 and November 2024, 0.2 percent less than in the year before.
There were 8.1 live births and 13.1 deaths per thousand inhabitants in the first eleven months.
Tomi, a ten- year-old boy, has already had more foster parents than he can count on his hands. Loretta is so deeply moved by the camp’s devotions that she writes and performs a praise song during the Talent Show – a touching culmination of the camp’s activities. Szabi, struggling with anger, asks the pastors to pray with him, as he does not wish to cause harm to others. For many children, it is at the Ark Camp that they first encounter children who have lost their parents entirely.
Ark Camp at Lake Balaton
Ark Camp. For the past seven years, the Reformed Church in Hungary has hosted the Ark Camp, a six-day developmental program at Lake Balaton. The camp primarily welcomes socially disadvantaged, multiply disadvantaged, and disabled children, offering them not only recreation but also spiritual growth through shared experiences. Since 2018, the program has welcomed more than 7,000 children. Despite facing challenges such as poverty, discrimination, and abuse in their daily lives, the camp provides a safe and nurturing environment where they can grow emotionally and spiritually. Ark Camp offers more than a break from life’s struggles – it creates a space to encounter God.
Photo: Press release/Reformed Church of Hungary
How can all this be achieved? Through a unique combination of missionary activity, development, and community-building activities? A fundamental pillar of this approach is the experiential education, in the development and implementation of which the Adventures and Dreams Workshop has been a partner of the Reformed Church from the very beginning. This method transforms learning into an engaging game: children participate in carefully structured programs designed to foster personal and social growth. Children organised into small groups, within a camp cohort of 160 participants, engage in activities that encourage collaboration, reflection, and problem-solving.
Photo: Press release/Reformed Church of Hungary
These activities are thoughtfully integrated with lessons drawn from Bible stories shared during the morning and evening devotions, seamlessly connecting faith-based teaching with experiential education sessions. And, of course, no camp is complete without evening games! After all, play is a fundamental part of children’s lives, while their personality, their ability to cooperate or to express their emotions develops imperceptibly. These lively activities not only energize the children but also help them build social and emotional skills. Tasks that may seem amusing often push children out of their comfort zones. Once completed, the activities are followed by group reflections, enabling the children to apply what they have learned in their daily lives.
Photo: Press release/Reformed Church of Hungary
Who can become an Ark camper?
Beyond faith-based education and social skills development, Ark Camp also addresses health promotion, education for health-conscious living, and activities to promote the correct use of digital tools – areas often inaccessible to children living in extreme poverty. By filling these gaps, the camp equips participants with practical knowledge they may not otherwise receive.
Who can become an ’Ark’ camper? The camp welcomes all, from the children attending elite schools to children encountering basic amenities like running water for the first time, from those who have attended church since childhood to those who have never heard the name of Jesus. Without the support of the implementing helpers, the Ark would sink. The Ark’s success is built on the dedication of its rotating team of 40 staff members, a diverse group ranging from teenagers completing community services to retired teachers and even tax lawyers. The camp brings together children and young staff members who might not otherwise have the chance to meet or build friendships due to prevailing prejudices. This inclusive approach promotes acceptance and fosters a sense of community, encouraging children to collaborate as teams and build bridges of understanding rather than barriers of division.
There is room for everyone on this Ark!
Donations well received
The Ark Camp operates entirely free of charge for participants, made possible through the help of supporters. The Reformed Church in Hungary is actively seeking partners who share its vision and commitment to social responsibility. The Ark Camp and changing the lives of children in difficulty can be a common cause!
Every contribution matters – whether it is a small donation, funding for an individual camper, or support for an entire group, it makes a difference. Together, we can ensure that every child finds their place on the Ark.
Tamás Smidt and his wife Zsuzsa have brought festive joy and cultural exchange to their adopted home in Sri Lanka, blending European traditions with local life. From launching a unique Santa Claus Day celebration to year-round acts of generosity, their efforts have created lasting connections and meaningful moments.
Overcoming cultural differences
Travelo writes that Tamás Smidt and his wife Zsuzsa embraced a new chapter in Sri Lanka over nine years ago, eventually launching a travel agency catering to Hungarians with cruises, exotic holidays, weddings, and retreats. In 2016, they introduced a unique Santa Claus Day tradition, blending European culture with local life by organising festive events to delight children and foster community spirit. Initially celebrated under the banana trees on 6 December, the couple later adapted to local customs by adding Christmas Day festivities too, resulting in two joyous celebrations each year. Their efforts reflect a heartfelt cultural exchange in Sri Lanka. Tamás says:
Since most of the population is Buddhist, they do not celebrate Christmas or Santa Claus. The small Christian population does, but they also only celebrate on 25 December according to the Anglo-Saxon system. Their most important day is 14 April, the first day of the Sinhalese and Tamil New Year. They also give each other presents. A nearby pearl fisherman told me that he had heard of Santa Claus with a big beard, but he never came to Sri Lanka. So we decided to bring him here and surprise the children in our village with a little something.
Photo: magyarok-srilankan.hu
Santa in Sri Lanka
Tamás and Zsuzsa carefully prepared for their first Santa Claus Day in Sri Lanka by estimating the number of children expected, creating Sinhalese flyers with the help of a local friend, and buying gifts. On the big day, they set up in front of the village chief’s house, ready to bring festive joy. Despite challenges like sourcing a Santa suit suitable for Tamás’s 1.85 m height—creatively solved with Zsuzsa’s sewing skills—they focused on the essence of the tradition.
Their initial event included simple treats like fruit and sweets, but the true highlight was Santa Claus himself, or Nattalthaththa in Sinhalese, captivating children and curious elders alike. The tradition has since grown, with Sinhalese children eagerly embracing the novelty. They trustingly line up, smiling and craning their necks to glimpse the gifts being handed out, displaying a heartwarming openness.
Gifts from Hungary
Tamás and Zsuzsa have touched the lives of many in Sri Lanka through their acts of generosity, extending beyond their annual Santa Claus tradition. They have distributed gifts such as Sport bars, school supplies, and clothing, with contributions even coming from Hungarian guests. Their support continues year-round, as seen when Tamás helped a friend repair a flood-damaged home and offered financial assistance, which transformed the family’s living conditions. These heartfelt moments of giving back have become a cherished part of their life in Sri Lanka.
The Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest, led by Cardinal Péter Erdő, has announced that well-known priest András Pajor has been barred from all clerical activities following serious allegations. This marks the second high-profile case involving church figures with close ties to the government in recent weeks.
In its statement, the Archdiocese explained that a complaint had been filed with its Child and Youth Protection Service, leading to a preliminary investigation. Pending its outcome, Pajor was suspended and later requested to be relieved of his duties due to his age and health. According to Válasz Online’s report, he has since been retired, although the investigation and restrictions remain in place. Additionally, the matter has been reported to the police.
Known for his political allegiances: Fidesz, Russia
András Pajor, a parish priest from Zugló, has been a controversial figure in Hungary, openly campaigning for Fidesz, criticizing opposition parties, and promoting anti-migrant and pro-Putin conspiracy theories. Last year, he received the Knight’s Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit for his contributions to Christian culture and youth education, an award proposed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and presented by President Katalin Novák.
Priest András Pajor. Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd
Reports from Válasz Online indicate that multiple victims came forward after hearing a podcast by a Catholic child protection advocate, Benedictine friar Benedek Dobszay. One victim noted, “In the past, we buried this issue within ourselves, feeling it was hopeless to seek action against Father Pajor. This time, however, we saw immediate and thorough measures, including detailed witness interviews.”
Disturbing allegations against the priest
Victims have described systematic abuse of power and authority by Pajor, often targeting altar boys. Allegations include invasive “tick checks” requiring boys as young as eight to undress fully and submit to physical inspections (which included touching the young boys’ private parts), which reportedly continued into their teenage years. Pajor allegedly also performed full-body massages on selected boys and subjected them to questionable “therapies” like quartz lamp treatments.
Photo: Facebook/Pajor András Atya
Witnesses emphasised that the abuse was not limited to isolated incidents, with multiple individuals providing testimony to church investigators. When approached, the priest declined to comment on the allegations.
Broader context
This case follows recent revelations of abuse within the Kalocsa Archdiocese. The Hungarian Catholic Bishops’ Conference issued a statement expressing “sympathy and sorrow” for victims of clerical abuse but avoided issuing an apology or acknowledging systemic issues. Critics argue that Hungary’s Catholic Church has historically underreported cases of abuse, with investigative outlets like 444 documenting numerous cases over the past 25 years.
While many remain shocked by these recent allegations, they underscore the persistent relevance of addressing clerical abuse in Hungary. Observers note that the swift action in Pajor’s case contrasts with the church’s historically opaque handling of such matters, potentially signaling a shift in its approach.
Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza party, said that the government had admitted that many children’s homes are operating under “unacceptable circumstances” by banning him from visiting such homes.
In a statement to MTI, Magyarsaid he had received a letter from Attila Fülöp, the state secretary for social affairs, letting him know that he had been banned from institutions providing care.
With that step, “the government has openly admitted that gravely traumatised children are living in unacceptable circumstances, and that there is a dire shortage of work force due to humiliatingly low wages,” Magyar said in the statement.
MEPs have the right to information pertaining to their work from state institutions, just as children have a fundamental right to protection and care for their welfare, Magyar said.
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
Fülop’s letter “is simply lies and fearmongering,” he said.
“You can’t ban an MEP from children’s homes, especially not in an email. A real ban must be made through a public administration decision, against which legal remedies are in place,” Magyar said.
He said the party will revamp the bathrooms of a children’s home in Miskolc, which he said was in a state “not fit for human use”. “We will do this instead of the government, which has been unable for years to allocate 5 million forints to reconstruct the mouldy, wet bathrooms,” he said.
Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
Liveable, successful rural Hungary key to future, says Magyar
There is no Hungarian future without a liveable, successful rural Hungary, Magyar said in Hajdúböszörmény, in eastern Hungary, on Sunday.
Speaking of the party’s plan to develop rural Hungary and the agriculture, Magyar said rural development would receive an independent ministry in “the Tisza government”, along with health care, education and environmental protection. The party would work to “save rural Hungary”, he said in a statement.
He slammed ruling Fidesz for “betraying its old supporters, farmers, family entrepreneurs and the senior citizens and youth of rural Hungary.”
While Hungarian youth are leaving their rural home towns, “the Orbán government is trying to supply the work force demanded by multinational companies with Asian economic migrants.”
Péter Magyar in Hajdúböszörmény. Photo: FB/Péter Magyar
Magyar vowed that Tisza would use the 220,000 empty buildings in rural Hungary to ease the housing crisis.
The party would also launch a comprehensive village rehabilitation programme and a land reform “to provide good opportunities for young farmers rather than oligarchs to buy farmland,” he said.
Further, Tisza would also develop the infrastructure of small localities, “and stop the mindless centralisation of the Orbán government”, he said.
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Péter Magyar, the leader of the opposition Tisza Party, issued a statement on Monday, saying that “there should be no compromise over our children or grandchildren,”, adding that “a well-functioning … state has the primary obligation to save and protect the most vulnerable, children.”
Magyar called for zero tolerance in all cases of child abuse. He insisted that Hungary had “hundreds of thousands of children living below the poverty line”, and slammed the authorities for lengthy adoption procedures and for letting “abandoned babies remain in hospital care for up to one year”.
Magyar criticised the government for “learning nothing” from the child molestation scandal at the orphanage of Bicske, and said the government had “promised everything but failed to do anything”. He said the area of child protection suffered from “a lack of experts, underpaid teachers, lengthy legal procedures and unprepared authorities.”
“Ruling Fidesz’s politicians and oligarchs are having a great time on board of pricy luxury yachts while hundreds of thousands of children have no access to proper food,” Magyar said, pledging to protect children and to be rigorous in applying laws “against criminals no matter who they are or where they come from.”
The opposition Democratic Coalition (DK) has submitted a draft resolution calling for setting up an independent committee to investigate sexual crime committed against children within the church, the party’s deputy group leader said on Sunday.
“Several cases have proved in recent years that children in Hungary are not safe. Paedophile monsters are there in the schools, foster homes, sports clubs and in Catholic institutions as well,” Ágnes Vadai told an online press conference.
She said there were no committee or institution in place working with independent civil experts. “And in the past years it depended solely on the decision of the Catholic Church’s leaders whether a child abuse case was investigated or hushed up,” Vadaisaid, criticising the incumbent government over its failure to investigate those cases.
She said that the committee her party proposed would have ten members delegated by the Catholic Church and the other ten civil members assigned by parties with deputies in the Hungarian parliament and in the European Parliament.
“A committee with such a structure can achieve that a balanced, thorough and comprehensive investigation is conducted and that crimes within the Catholic Church come to light,” Vadai said.
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Child abuse in Hungarian adventure park: karate sensei kicks small boy – 18+ VIDEO and details HERE
After last year’s tour, the original Finnish Santa, Joulupukki, will visit Hungary again. The MikulásGyár “charity festival” in Hungary would like to collect 120 thousand kilos of non-perishable food and distribute 25 thousand gifts to kids. The Finnish Joulupukki will help that project with a 13-day-long tour.
According to index.hu, MikulásGyár is one of Hungary’s greatest charity events and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year between 29 November and 21 December.
“The philosophy of MikulásGyár is based on tolerance, mutual acceptance, solidarity and humanism. Since 2005, MikulásGyár has been operated by private individuals within the framework of a non-profit foundation. We work with around 2,000 volunteers every year, and we are also an outstanding campaign in terms of the number of volunteers”, they write on their official website.
On the 20th anniversary, the Finnish Santa, Joulupukki will tour Hungary for 13 days to meet with Hungarian children and give them presents.
Photo: FB/MikulásGyár
Joulupukki visited 54 locations last year
In 2023, MikulásGyár distributed gifts to more than 8,300 children in 54 locations. Joulupukki met with more than 17 thousand children during his 10-day-long stay while attending 20 events in 10 settlements. He travelled 3,300 kilometres in Hungary during those 10 days.
MikulásGyár hopes that they will be able to make even more children smile.
“In order for as many people as possible to come and donate, we are organising more than 120 concerts, theatre performances, film screenings, and professional talks for visitors, and we are providing an interactive playhouse for children between November 29 and December 21 at one of Budapest’s busiest junctions on approximately 1,500 m2, with beautiful and special installations. Of course, all our events are free, and according to our calculations, we will host about 110,000 visitors”, MikulásGyár writes on their website.
Erzsébet camps in Balaton and Transylvania hosted more than 40,000 children from mid-June to the end of August, a government official said on Sunday.
Besides school groups, children living in state care and foster homes were able to enjoy the summer in camps where there were meals and health care provided day in day out, Zsófia Koncz, the state secretary for families of the ministry of culture and innovation, said in a statement, noting that the government supports the Erzsébet Foundation for Children of the Carpathian Basin which lays on the summer camps in Zanka, Fonyodliget and Transylvania.
Children from 700 institutions from 510 settlements throughout the country and beyond the borders travelled to the Balaton camps and back home free of charge, with more than 22,000 campers taking up the chance to do so. Train journeys were organised by the Erzsébet Foundation and financed with government support.
Photo: FB/Erzsébet camps
Programmes included concerts, activities nurturing traditions, digital competence development and sports, with games, music and dance classes as well as environmental protection and educational presentations, community-building and Christian spiritual programmes on offer. In addition there were adventure parks, hang-gliding and archery.
More than 3,000 children arrived from Transylvania, Slovakia, Vojvodina, Transcarpathia and Croatia, among other Hungarian communities beyond the border, the statement said.
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An unbelievable place opened for small kids in Budapest: Hungary’s first smart kindergarten where small children can learn the basics of coding and spend the day in a bilingual environment to learn English.
Costs were high, but the results are incomparable
According to index.hu, Hungary’s first smart daycare opened in Angyalföld (13th district, Budapest), and a humanoid robot, Pepper, greeted people during the inauguration ceremony. The complete revamp of the building cost HUF 2.7 billion (EUR 6.85 million) for the local taxpayers and started in 2022.
Mayor József Tóth and Pepper. Photo: FB/József Tóth
The local council believes that developing digital skills should be started in kindergartens. The district’s mayor, József Tóth, said they should educate the future generations to use the achievements of the digital age deliberately.
Kids may learn the basics of coding in the first smart kindergarten
The kindergarten building was entirely renewed and rebuilt. The constructor, Archikon Architectural, built a new floor on the original one-storey building and connected the buildings with airy spaces, creating all the necessary rooms and places for a successful operation.
Photo: FB/József Tóth
Photo: FB/József Tóth
The kindergarten has a fitness room, multiple versions of green spaces, a studio, a smart room, and even a salt room. Moreover, kids can even try climbing walls inside the building. Kitchens are on both floors, connected by a dumbwaiter. The green roof has several solar panels.
Smart room. Photo: FB/József Tóth
Pepper at work. Photo: FB/József Tóth
Equipped with various digital devices, the smart room helps learn the basics of coding, while kids can experiment with cooking in the school kitchen or create art pieces in the studio. Moreover, parents can check what their children do inside via cameras. Meanwhile, Pepper, the humanoid robot, will be at the helpdesk.
Photo: FB/József Tóth
Here is a video of Pepper:
Kids can learn the basics of code writing with the BeeBot, which also develops their logic. According to the mayor, they pay special attention to developing social and emotional skills, apart from introducing technology to them.
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Ukrainian children who have fled to Hungary from the war need material aid and social support to start the upcoming school year, the UN’s children’s fund UNICEF said in a statement on Monday, coinciding with the opening of an exhibition of photomontages in City Hall park in Budapest.
UNICEF aiding refugee Ukrainian children
Thousands of children who cannot attend school in their home country will soon start the school year in Hungary, the statement said.
Two years into the war, around half of Ukrainian children have either fled the country or are internally displaced, the UN’s children’s fund said. Hungary currently hosts more than 60,000 Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, it said.
Hungarian Reformed Church Aid, a charity, has been working in partnership with UNICEF to smooth access to education, health care, child protection services and psychological healing for Ukrainian refugees, the statement said.
The exhibition, entitled Flowers and Tanks – Artwork in the Shadow of the War in Ukraine, featuring photomontages of war-torn Ukraine and drawings by child refugees, runs through to Aug 21.
The outrageous child abuse case happened in a Szolnok adventure park where an adult karate sensei kicked a small kid since he did not want to go to the park’s climbing section. Later he even poured a flask of water on him and asked whether he was a girl. The humiliation was so “effective” that the boy did not even tell his mother what happened, who learned about it from the media.
Tibor A., the perpetrator of the abuse, is a 3rd degree black belt karate sensei and the leader of a local karate sports club, the Yakuzák SE. The kid is only eight years old and did not tell his mother, who learned about the revolting case from the Hungarian media.
That is because the video of the horrific events went viral already, having accumulated more than 367 thousand views. The little child’s mother said his son has not taken part in karate training ever. He only went to a summer camp, where Tibor A. worked as a supervisor, Mandiner.hu wrote.
She said her boy thought he behaved wrong, so he deserved the “punishment”. She added that physically the boy was OK, but the outrageous kick caused great spiritual damage.
After the kick, the boy fell on his head and could not move for seconds, but Tibor A. did not help him at all while the other kids just stared at what happened. Instead of helping him, Tibor A. returned later with a flask of water and poured it on him, humiliating the 8-year-old and asking whether he was a girl.
The perpetrator may receive years in prison.
PM Orbán calls for consequences
The abuse against a child caught on camera at an adventure park in Szolnok, in central Hungary, is “unacceptable, unbearable and cries for consequences”, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in an interview on public radio on Friday.
Referring to a police investigation of a report filed by park personnel who said an adult accompanying a group of children to the park had kicked one of the children, Orban said the organisers of summer camps were responsible for the children parents had placed into their care. “They have pledged to take care of them and to make sure they spend their time meaningfully,” he added.
“It is the government’s job to say that those who can’t live up to that responsibility — and they clearly couldn’t in this case — should not be allowed to organise camps … that must be enforced,” he said.
Summer camps cannot have adults abusing children, he said.
Here is the video:
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Hungarian government to tighten child protection law – Read more HERE
Hungary’s parliament on Tuesday adopted changes aimed at increasing protection for children against sexual abuse.
Under the amendments, adopted with 163 votes and 14 abstentions, the penal code will stipulate that sexual crimes against people under 18 shall never lapse. Also, people convicted to imprisonment for such crimes shall not be released on probation.
The amendments have not changed current rules under which criminals convicted for more than 5 years imprisonment cannot be cleared of a criminal record.
The penal code now also stipulates that the president of the republic cannot grant their presidential pardon to people convicted for sexual crimes against minors.
Hungary’s registry of people convicted for paedophilia will contain the names of criminals not only convicted in Hungary but by courts of other European Union members and the United Kingdom.
Child molesters in the future shall not be released into home custody.
The amendments stipulate that leaders and staff of child protection institutions should be screened for psychological aptitude and that those people should have “an impeccable lifestyle”. Candidates failing to pass the psychology test cannot be employed or should be dismissed without delay if they are already in employment. An assessment of lifestyle could be requested any time during their employment “once there is sufficient reason to assume that it is objectionable,” the amended law says. Such checks must be carried out by the police’s National Protection Service.
Concerning children’s camps, the law now says that adults in the camp must have a certificate of good conduct to prove that they have no criminal record for child molestation, they are not currently under prosecution, nor are they under involuntary medical treatment.
The new changes ensure increased protection for children through “responsible education concerning their use of the internet and the media”. As a new component, the legislation stipulates that children, while exercising their right to free expression, shall respect the human dignity of other children. Under the amendment, reporting and removing cyberbullying content will be easier.
As we wrote earlier, PM Orbán submitted the anti-paedophile constitutional amendment, details HERE.
The ongoing (anti-)war campaign of the Fidesz government is a serious threat to children and a clear violation of their rights, child advocate experts say. Unlawful, harmful, dangerous, and incomprehensible, a sociologist who works with children summed up the “Stop War” campaign.
In recent weeks, it has become impossible not to come across posters on the street that read “Stop War” in enormous letters. Similarly, advertisements with sinister background music, proclaiming that Hungarian opposition politicians would plunge the country into war constantly interrupt YouTube videos.
The Hungarian press reported extensively on a case in Piliscsaba, where the mayor had to relocate an anti-war poster from in front of a school after several complaints from parents. At the recent Peace March, children performing on stage before Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech had to shout that they did not want war.
“Stop War.” Only Fidesz on June 9! Photo: PrtSc from EuroNews via YouTube
Népszava interviewed child rights experts about the government’s war campaign who pointed out that posters and campaign videos threatening war could be seriously harmful to the psychological development of children.
In name, the ads are part of a pro-peace campaign. In reality, they are barely-masked fearmongering ahead of the upcoming elections. To reflect this dichotomy, this article uses the terms “anti-war campaign” and “war campaign” interchangeably.
Previous events: both Péter Magyar and the government have spoken out on the anti-war campaign
Péter Magyar, vice-chairman of the Tisza Party recently announced that he would sue Viktor Orbán over the fearmongering war campaign, and also file a complaint with the National Media and Infocommunications Authority about war scare ads on YouTube. Moreover, his party has launched a petition entitled “War is not a game” to protect children’s rights, as they claim that:
“the ruling party, in its election campaign, is using TV, internet, and billboards to bombard people with content harmful to children’s psychological development in order to maintain its power.”
As reported by DNH, Fidesz communications director Tamás Menczer responded to Magyar’s statements by saying that George Soros had ordered Magyar to have the posters removed. Magyar, according to the director, is “a genuine, black belt, pro-war, left-wing politician, financed by and taking orders from George Soros.”
Menczer added that “the truth is that children are not harmed by the posters but by the war.” Therefore, the “Stop War” posters will not disappear, in fact, the campaign will continue with even more force.
The war campaign poses a serious threat to children’s wellbeing
Mária Herczog, a sociologist and child advocate expert, said the government’s messaging “violates children’s rights, is harmful, dangerous and incomprehensible.”
Herczog stressed that the Fidesz anti-war campaign could cause anxiety in adults and children alike. If parents themselves believe in the danger of an all-out war, they may also instil in their children a sense of fear of the future.
“Stop War” and “Peace” billboards. Photo: PrtSc from EuroNews via YouTube
Children, even if they don’t fully understand what is going on in politics, understand the underlying sentiment that “everyone is constantly in danger. There are no opponents but enemies facing each other, there is no common ground, no common cause, no room for meaningful agreements, and no compromises. Instead, we must fight.”
This is a deeply concerning message, Herczog said, which could have long-term implications for the psyches of the younger generations. She said that for experts working with children, it is a key goal to teach youngsters how to manage conflict peacefully, how to cooperate with each other, and negotiate non-violently. In such a political climate, this task is about impossible.
Moreover, the fact that such “Stop War” ads can pop up during videos that have nothing to do with politics, such as content for children, is “extremely harmful and seriously endangers children, violating their rights.”
Mrs Katona Pehr Erika, representing the Civil Coalition for Children’s Rights, emphasised that children should not become tools of party politics. A proper political and constitutional culture cannot allow parties to use those most vulnerable in society to reach their goals.
The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights and two deputies issued a joint statement at the time of the 2019 European Parliament elections regarding this standard, stating that “children are individuals with fundamental human rights, views, and feelings,” who should not be used to gain popularity during elections.
Moreover, Mrs Katona highlighted that it is strictly prohibited to manipulate children in election campaigns. She added that the protection of children from harmful messages should be a top priority for all parties during election season.
Scaremongering about war is in stark contrast with these ideals, the expert said, pointing out that the war campaign is “seriously harmful to children because it instils a visceral fear of possible bombings, of the possible death of their parents or family.”
Hungary’s public media provider MTVA’s innovation and dedication is evident in its professional standards and its family-friendly orientation, the state secretary for families said at a family day held at the company’s headquarters on Saturday.
Ágnes Hornung, state secretary for families of the ministry of culture and innovation, and Andrea Bartos, head of the Family-Friendly Hungary Centre, handed over a certificate to MTVA, the Media Services and Support Trust Fund, which the company has won for a second time.
Ensuring a work-life balance “is a key plank of the government’s family-friendly policy”, Hornung said, noting government schemes to ensure nursery places, family-friendly developments, as well as recognising work that helps families.
In the past 15 years, the government has brought about more than 30 measures and family support schemes, she noted. As a result, there are more and more family-friendly workplaces, she said, praising MTVA for the diversity of its programming and its fostering of a family-friendly atmosphere.
Dániel Papp, the public service company’s chief executive, said it was “a joy and honour” for the company to receive the recognition once again.
He said management strove to create a welcoming and homely environment where staff could feel good, and he mentioned numerous family-friendly programmes aimed at supporting employees.
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The number of births fell by 10 percent in March compared with the same month in the previous year, while deaths went down by 13 percent, according to preliminary data published by the Central Statistical Office (KSH) on Friday.
Meanwhile, the number of marriages went down by 1.9 percent with 3,030 couples tying the knot in the same period.
Fully 6,413 children were born in March, while there were 10,524 deaths, KSHreported.
The natural population loss was 4,111 people compared with 4,926 in March 2023.
Fully 83,222 children were born between April 2023 and March 2024, 7.6 percent fewer than in the same period of last year. Altogether 126,853 people died between April 2023 and March 2024, 4.7 percent fewer than in the same period of last year.
There were 8.1 live births and 14.1 deaths per thousand inhabitants in the first three months.
