Hungary UPR Outcome Statement
As delivered by Vivian Ekey
Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council 33rd Session
Geneva,
September 21, 2016
The United States welcomes Hungary to the UPR Adoption session.
We call upon the Government of Hungary to address assessments and recommendations of the 2014 OSCE election observation mission’s report, in which observers said that “[t]he main governing party enjoyed an undue advantage because of restrictive campaign regulations, biased media coverage, and campaign activities that blurred the separation between political party and the State.” We urge the Government to recognize the vital need for a level electoral playing field, to take seriously its commitment as an OSCE participating state, to follow-up promptly on OSCE observer mission assessments and recommendations, and to take the necessary steps to create a free, fair, transparent and competitive electoral process.
Hungary is yet to expand access to public information and improve transparency and accountability. We urge the Government to work with the Open Government Partnership and civil society on reforms to increase the public’s freedom to seek, receive, and impart information. This is key to shining light on corruption and promoting openness and integrity.
The Government has taken no action to strengthen judicial independence, improve the administration of the court system, or buttress the rule of law by implementing 2015 proposals of the International Bar Association Human Rights Institute in 2015. We encourage the Government to implement recommendations in this area.
We look forward to seeing progress on implementing the UPR recommendations you have accepted over the next five years.
Thank you.