16 Years of Broken Promises: Why Hungary's Roma Still Can't Trust the Police
15 April 2026
In a statement issued on 14th April, Human Rights Watch (HRW) declared that the incoming Hungarian government needs to swiftly restore the rule of law, and guarantee fundamental rights. The watchdog body called for immediate steps to dismantle abusive laws, and reinstate democratic safeguards after 16 years of backsliding. In his election victory speech, Péter Magyar promised "a more humane Hungary". One long-overdue human-rights issue that needs fixing is the manner in which Romani communities are policed.
While the Council of Europe suggests expanded and improved training for police officers, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee has called on the Committee of Ministers to adopt an interim resolution to urge the Hungarian authorities to finally bring their law and practice into line with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Ethnic profiling
In its opinion published in March 2026, the Council of Europe body charged with the protection of national minorities expressed its concern at the prevalence of incidents of discrimination, misconduct, and ill-treatment of Roma by the police in Hungary. It stated that practices of racial profiling can result in institutionalised racism, and called for effective investigation of such allegations, noting that such practices tend to stigmatise the targeted groups in the eyes of the general public, “generating feelings of humiliation, injustice and resentment amongst these communities, and undermining trust in the police.”
In light of a group of judgements of the European Court of Human Rights against Hungary, concerning the authorities’ failure to effectively investigate possible racial motives behind violent incidents involving the police, the Advisory Committee on the Protection of National Minorities called for “further efforts to expand and improve the provision of targeted and practical training.”
Failure to address "systemic problems surrounding police ill-treatment"
In its January 2026 submission to the Committee of Ministers, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) accused the Hungarian authorities of failure to take the necessary measures to prevent police ill-treatment and “introduce any meaningful legislative or policy reforms to address the systemic problems surrounding police ill-treatment to ensure effective accountability.”
The HHC submission, concerning the execution of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgments in the Gubacsi v. Hungary group of cases, shows that neither the legal framework nor the authorities’ own statistical data show any tangible progress in preventing abuse, ensuring effective investigations, or imposing sanctions capable of ending impunity. The submission demonstrates that Hungary has still failed to take the necessary measures to prevent police ill-treatment and introduce any meaningful legislative or policy reforms to address the systemic problems surrounding police ill-treatment to ensure effective accountability. As a result, the HHC concluded that “the structural deficiencies identified by the European Court of Human Rights more than a decade ago continue to undermine accountability and deny victims effective access to justice.”
Among the key problems identified by the HHC was the lack of any clear and consistent commitment to zero tolerance for police ill-treatment by the outgoing regime, and failure to produce a comprehensive strategy or targeted training aimed at preventing ill-treatment. In terms of training, law enforcement bodies lack knowledge of lawful interrogation techniques and reliable systems for assessing police performance in line with human rights standards. When it comes to detention, there is “no effective system for monitoring police detention and the procedural safeguards designed to prevent torture and ill-treatment remain inadequate.”
Detainees who allege ill-treatment are still not guaranteed independent and effective medical examinations capable of properly documenting injuries. And investigations into allegations are deeply flawed and rarely result in indictments. When they do, the HHC has found that “Courts continue to impose unduly lenient sentences on law-enforcement officers found guilty of ill-treatment, undermining deterrence and accountability.” To add insult to injury, law-enforcement officers convicted of abuse often remain eligible to continue serving, reinforcing a climate of impunity; while victims face serious difficulties in getting compensation for the harms they have suffered.
For ten years, the Orbán regime wilfully refused to address these structural deficiencies identified by the European Court of Human Rights. The incoming government, with its supermajority, has a unique historical opportunity to fully restore the rule of law. Police violence and discrimination against Roma, as well as broader issues around access to justice need to be high on Péter Magyar’s to-do list.
