FEANTSA and its members strongly denounce the proposed amendments to the Hungarian Constitution which will forbid living in a public space
We have been drawing attention to the Hungarian government’s campaign to punish homeless people over the past eight years. This latest proposed constitutional amendment clearly violates the spirit of the many international human rights treaties to which Hungary is a signatory, including the Revised European Social Charter, the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Declaration on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and of course the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. Hungary, along with all EU Member States, has also endorsed the European Pillar of Social Rights which enshrines the right to housing.
Homelessness is an unacceptable violation of fundamental human rights and dignity. Nobody should have to live on the streets, but to outlaw those who have no options for a place to live is a clear violation of human rights. If passed, the Constitution of Hungary will enshrine a human rights violation. This is an alarming development that triggers concerns among homelessness service providers across Europe.
