He urged the Hungarian authorities “to step up efforts to improve Roma access to education by addressing all forms of school segregation of Roma children.

The dire housing situation of many Roma living in substandard and segregated settlements and the discriminatory impact on Roma of some measures taken at local level should also be addressed as a matter of priority.”

It also says that despite action by the authorities to condemn anti-Semitic speech, “anti-Semitism is a recurring problem.”

Muiznieks referred to “the growing visible presence of extremist organisations in the last years” as one of the most worrying trends in the area of racism and intolerance in Hungary.

He welcomed steps taken to reinforce Hungary’s legislative framework against hate crimes and hate speech and measures to improve its implementation.

At the same time he urged the Hungarian authorities to address “persisting failures”, including better investigating the possible racial motivation of offences.

While welcoming progress made in the fight against intolerance and discrimination against LGBTI persons, he called on the authorities to take all necessary measures to address discrimination against LGBTI persons and fight physical violence against them.

Muiznieks expressed worry at measures taken in the last three years to prohibit rough sleeping and urged the Hungarian authorities to review the restrictive regulations in light of internationally agreed standards.

Muiznieks remains concerned about the infrequent use made of alternatives to detention, the report said, calling on the Hungarian authorities to ensure that the detention of asylum seekers is only used as a last resort.

Source www.hungarymatters.hu

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