Hungary Faces Challenges in Addressing Organized Crime, Corruption, and Social Protection Issues

Organized Crime and Corruption: A Growing Concern

The report highlights several areas where Hungary’s government and institutions face challenges in addressing organized crime, corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, and social protection. In the area of organized crime and corruption, the risk is moderate to high.

Key Findings:

• The risk of corruption within the justice system is moderate to high.
• Bribes and irregular payments for favorable judgments occur.
• Political interference in judicial matters is a serious concern.

Economic and Financial Environment: A Robust Framework with Room for Improvement

While Hungary has a robust anti-money laundering framework, authorities have failed to make full use of the tools at their disposal. Corruption presents a significant risk to businesses, particularly in tax administration and public procurement sectors.

Key Findings:

• Hungary has a robust anti-money laundering framework.
• Authorities have failed to make full use of the tools at their disposal.
• Corruption presents a significant risk to businesses, particularly in tax administration and public procurement sectors.

Civil Society and Social Protection: A Need for Improvement

Human trafficking victim assistance services are scarce and uncoordinated. Efforts were made to advance victim support, including appointing specialized investigators and stepping up victim identification. However, problem areas remain, such as the lack of a proper framework for child-victim identification and assistance.

Key Findings:

• Human trafficking victim assistance services are scarce and uncoordinated.
• Efforts were made to advance victim support, including appointing specialized investigators and stepping up victim identification.
• Problem areas remain, such as the lack of a proper framework for child-victim identification and assistance.

Media Landscape: A Threat to Press Freedom

The media landscape has deteriorated year-on-year, with ownership becoming increasingly concentrated in the hands of oligarchs tied to the prime minister. The ruling party has asserted control over the public broadcaster, leading to critical outlets being closed down and threatening editorial independence.

Key Findings:

• The media landscape has deteriorated year-on-year.
• Ownership is increasingly concentrated in the hands of oligarchs tied to the prime minister.
• The ruling party has asserted control over the public broadcaster.

Conclusion

Overall, the report suggests that Hungary’s government faces significant challenges in addressing organized crime, corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, and social protection issues. While some efforts have been made to address these problems, more needs to be done to ensure effective governance, transparency, and accountability.