Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

Sources indicate that Roma women in Hungary face discrimination based on both their gender and their ethnicity (CFCF et al.Nov.2010, 5; Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights 13 Dec. 2010; European Commission 2008, 122). A study conducted by two London-based NGOs--the IMECE Turkish Speaking Women's Group and the London Training and Employment Network (LTEN)--as well as the Budapest-based Regional Social Welfare Resource Centre (BSZF), explains that the social exclusion of Roma women in Hungary

is generated through unemployment, poor education, long term poverty, poor health, poor housing, lack of social and economic empowerment, discrimination and stereotypes. These issues usually interact in a vicious circle, thus reinforcing their effects as multiple disadvantages. (IMECE, LTEN, and BSZF Nov.2010, 62)

In terms of their treatment within the Roma community, a 2008 report prepared for the European Commission explains that Roma women have an "unequal" position within Roma families, which are described as "patriarchal," are subordinate to the male head of the household, and largely remain at home as caretakers (European Commission Nov.2008, 123). The report further indicates that domestic violence is viewed as a "socially accepted practice" among many Roma communities (ibid., 124). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a project coordinator at the NANE Women's Rights Association, a Budapest-based NGO founded in 1994 that advocates against the threat of violence against women and provides support services to victims of domestic violence (NANE n.d.), indicated that a Roma woman who complains about domestic violence is likely to face "scorn and punishment from her own community" (7 Feb. 2012).

Sources report that domestic violence is viewed as a "social problem" in Hungarian society (CFCF et al.Nov.2010, 5), and that it has historically been treated as a "taboo" topic (Fábián 2010, 223). A representative of the Budapest-based European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), in a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, explained that, in Hungary, domestic violence is "not widely spoken about," is "considered shameful," and "is often kept hidden within families" (ERRC 31 Jan.2012). This view was also expressed by the Roma participants of the 2010 study on domestic violence by the IMECE Turkish Speaking Women's Group, the LTEN, and the BSZF (Nov.2010, 64). The participants "gave the indication that being abused was shameful, not to be revealed, something to be resolved within the family or to simply be endured" (IMECE, LTEN, and BSZF Nov.2010, 64).

A program coordinator at the MONA Foundation for the Women of Hungary, a Budapest-based NGO that focuses on women's rights, indicated, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, that there is "a lot of anecdotal evidence" to show that "domestic violence against Roma women is quite widespread and quite serious" (10 Feb. 2012). However, she also explained that

a lot of cases of domestic violence against Roma women are unreported in our region due to a number of reasons: the embeddedness of this oppressive practice in the often more strongly patriarchal families of the community, the 'fear of further stigmatizing the group by exposing intra-group violence', the general lack of holding the perpetrator accountable for such violence, the mistrust against the police and a number of practical hindrances for women to leave such situations safely and start a new life. (MONA 10 Feb. 2012)

1.1 Statistics

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010indicates that, according to "expert research" in the field, approximately 20 percent of women in Hungary "have been physically assaulted or victimized by domestic violence" (US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6). Country Reports 2010, drawing on statistics from the National Police Headquarters, indicates that there were 8,514 women who reported incidents of domestic violence to the police, but that most cases are not reported (ibid.). The Xinhua News Agency reports that, according to statistics from the Hungarian police, 42 women died as a result of domestic violence in 2010 (28 Nov.2010). NANE and a sister NGO in Hungary, People Against Patriarchy (Patent), also cite police statistics to indicate in a 2011 report that there are 200 homicides related to domestic violence annually (2011, 17).

Several sources indicate that there are no specific statistics about domestic violence among the Roma in Hungary, in part because Hungarian laws do not allow for data collection based on ethnicity (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012; NANE 7 Feb. 2012; MONA 10 Feb. 2012). However, the ERRC representative noted that, in a survey of 129 Roma women conducted by her organization in 2007, 42 percent indicated that they had been victims of domestic violence (ERRC 31 Jan.2012).

2. Legislation

Sources indicate that domestic violence is not specifically addressed in legislation (Fábián 2010, 231; CFCF et al.Nov.2010, 5; US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6). Instead, domestic violence is prosecuted under other laws, such as those prohibiting assault and battery (IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 27; US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6). According to the IMECE joint study, the Hungarian Criminal Code does not consider criminal acts against women in intimate relationships as either "aggravating" or "mitigating circumstances" when deciding on prosecuting and sentencing (IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 28). Country Reports 2010notes that the maximum sentence for assault and battery is eight years imprisonment (US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6). However, the IMECE and its co-authors explain that most cases of domestic violence are treated as "'simple batterings'" (injuries that heal in eight days), which carry a maximum sentence of two-years imprisonment, but more commonly result in fines that are paid from the household budget (Nov.2010, 28).

Hungary has enacted legislation that allows victims of domestic violence to obtain a temporary restraining order (US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6; Hungary 26 Nov.2010; IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 6). For further information on this topic see Response to Information Request HUN103823.EF dated 12 October 2011.

The NANE and Patent report of 2011 indicates that most crimes related to domestic violence are pursued upon a “private motion” that is decided by the victim (2011, 16). In cases of light bodily injury (the injury heals within eight days), the crime must be prosecuted as a “private prosecution,” in which the victim has the burden of proving the guilt of the accused (NANE and Patent 2011, 17). The report outlines several obstacles private prosecution poses to the victim, including the private prosecutor's inability to order an investigation or a “coercive measure” by the state and the difficulty the women's obligation to pay fees may pose to women without money (ibid., 17-19). In addition, the authors note that, at the start of the hearing, the court summons the victim and the abuser for a process of “conciliation,” which may cause “psychological distress” and pose “physical danger” for the victim (ibid., 18). The authors further indicate that there is a “lack of victim protection,” and note that there have been cases in which the perpetrator attacked the victim in the hallway or street before the hearing, or followed the woman from the court to her hiding spot (ibid.). Another obstacle, according to the authors, is the threat victims face of being charged with “false accusations” if their testimony is not believed (ibid., 19). Sources indicate that domestic violence victims who seek legal redress may be subject to "victim-blaming" by authorities (NANE 7 Feb. 2012; IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 66-67).

According to the IMECE joint study, "very few" Roma victims of domestic violence have initiated legal actions against their abusers (ibid., 66). The authors indicate that the few who did turn to the courts complained of "lengthy procedures, unnecessary pleading obligations, the ignoring of personal safety and negative mindsets of judges" (ibid.).

2.1 Family Law

The European Commission report notes that, in cases of divorce, it is the custom in many Roma communities for the father to decide on the custody of the children (Nov.2008, 123). As a result, many Roma women choose to stay with their husbands, "even in very difficult marriages or in cases of domestic violence" (European Commission Nov.2008, 123).

Within Hungary's family law system in general, the NANE representative explained that victims of domestic violence are likely to face

laws and practice creating obstacles to divorce, laws and practice that do not consider DV [domestic violence] while granting visitation rights or even custody to abusive fathers, a statute of limitations on requesting non-paid child allowance beyond 6 months . . . very high fines and/or potential imprisonment if they protect the child from the abuser by not allowing visitation granted by the court even if criminal procedures for child abuse and/or DV are pending or have never been investigated in spite of such request. (NANE 7 Feb. 2012)

NANE and Patent report that, in providing legal aid assistance to victims of domestic violence, they "have not seen a single case where the fact of abuse, even where it was proven beyond doubt, provided basis for abolishing the batterer's visitation rights over his children" (2011, 8). Their report highlights several examples of cases in which the court did not take into account the man's record of violence when deciding on visitation rights (ibid., 8-10). The two NGOs, which collaborated to produce a report on the rights of domestic abuse victims in 2010, also reference the case of a woman who was killed by her former husband when he accessed his right to visit their daughter (NANE and Patent 2010, 9).

3. State Protection

Several sources indicate that there are no government programs and services specifically designed for Roma victims of domestic violence (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012; NANE 7 Feb. 2012; MONA 10 Feb. 2012). The NANE representative indicated that a Roma woman who complains about domestic violence "is likely to face prejudice and discrimination, and is probably more likely to face dismissal by the authorities" (7 Feb. 2012). The ERRC representative similarly said that Roma women experience "more discrimination" when accessing state services (31 Jan.2012).

3.1 Police

Sources indicate that the police and Roma women do not trust each other (ERRC 31 Jan.2012; IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 64; CFCF et al.Nov.2010, 5). The ERRC survey of Roma women conducted in 2007 indicated that 20 percent of Roma victims of domestic violence turned to the police for assistance, and that the police "responded effectively" in one of seven cases (ERRC 31 Jan.2012). According to the ERRC representative, the police sometimes do not answer calls that come from Roma neighbourhoods or they take a long time to respond (ibid.). She also noted that the police are not doing anything to prevent domestic violence, and that they "react only when something major happens, such as when there are serious injuries" (ibid.). The representative further indicated that Roma women have "reported being the targets of police surveillance and harassment" (ibid.).

Sources indicate that the police often treat domestic violence cases among Roma as something that should be resolved within the family (ibid.; IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 64). Country Reports 2010indicates that the police are reluctant to arrest the perpetrators of domestic violence (US 8 Apr. 2011, Sec. 6). Sources also report that the police are not given regular training about domestic violence (ibid.; IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 67), although NANE has provided three-hour training workshops to dispatch officers (NANE and Patent 2010, 14).

Victims of domestic violence can report an incident to any police station (Hungary 23 Feb. 2012; ibid. 13 Feb. 2012; NANE 7 Feb. 2012). The case is then forwarded to the station with jurisdictional authority (ibid.; Hungary 13 Feb. 2012). An official at the Embassy of Hungary in Ottawa noted, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, that the victim can make a complaint if police decide not to investigate or can file a complaint if a police officer violates the victim's rights (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012).

The NANE representative maintains that complaints about domestic violence are often not taken "even by the police with jurisdiction" (NANE 7 Feb. 2012). She said that, when calling the police to their premises, women sometimes ask the police to start a case, but the police often "arbitrarily" choose not to make an official report (ibid.). This information could not be corroborated among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

3.2 Child Welfare Services

Sources indicate that Hungarian authorities sometimes threaten to take away the children of women who are victims of domestic violence (IMECE, LTEN and BSZF Nov.2010, 64; NANE and Patent 2011, 21). The NANE and Patent report indicates that child protection authorities often "blame the mother" for the situation, even if the mother is one of the victims (ibid.). The NGOs provided an example in which a woman was charged as a "secondary perpetrator" for "endangering the children's mental and moral development" because she had verbal arguments with her husband prior to her abuse (ibid., 22). The woman suffered a head injury, broken arm, concussion, and other injuries as a result of the abuse (ibid., 24). It reportedly took over two years of litigation before she could move back home with her children (ibid.). The ERRC representative explained that Roma women are often reluctant to report domestic violence for fear that their children might be taken away from them (31 Jan.2012). She noted that this is a "realistic concern" because Roma children are overrepresented in the child welfare system (ERRC 31 Jan.2012).

4. Support Services
4.1 Telephone Hotlines

The Hungarian government reportedly operates a free, 24-hour national crisis telephone hotline [also known as OKIT] for victims of domestic violence (ERRC 31 Jan.2012; NANE 7 Feb. 2012). NANE also operates a telephone hotline (ibid.).

4.2 Shelters

According to the Hungarian embassy official, there is one shelter in Budapest specifically for victims of domestic violence with or without children (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012). The shelter, which reportedly opened in 2006, has room for 24 people (ibid.).

In addition, the embassy official explained that the Ministry of National Resources coordinates and finances a "Regional Crisis Management Network" made up of 14 crisis centres nationwide (ibid.). These crisis centres provide a variety of services to victims of domestic violence, including information, employment, training, psychological assistance, legal consultation, mediation, and reintegration (ibid.). According to statistics provided by the official, the crisis centres provided services to the following people:

Category	2008	2009	2010
Single women	53	82	59
Women w/children	380	420	425
Children	858	921	968
Men	12	14	3
Total	1,303	1,467	1,480

(ibid.)

The NANE representative also noted that the state runs "'Regional Crisis Centers'" (NANE 7 Feb. 2012). She explained that, starting in 2005, beds at the "temporary family homes" and "Mother's homes," as the regional centres are known, were reserved for women fleeing from violence (ibid.). Many of these homes are reportedly operated by charities, churches, or local municipalities (ibid.). According to the NANE representative, there were approximately 100 beds in the crisis centres nationwide in 2010, but the number has dropped due to government cuts (ibid.). She stated that, as of November 2011, there were 30 to 40 beds allotted specifically for victims of domestic violence and that, as of early 2012, there are not enough beds for the victims of domestic violence (ibid.). The representatives from MONA (10 Feb. 2012) and the ERRC (31 Jan.2012) similarly said that there are not enough shelter spaces to meet the needs of the victims.

The NANE representative explained that, in order to obtain a bed designated for victims of domestic violence, a person must be referred by the government hotline, the NANE hotline, or family protection services (NANE 7 Feb. 2012). She also noted that women sometimes contact the shelters directly to see if there is space available (ibid.). There is often a waiting list for those who are not deemed to be in "imminent danger" (ibid.). The NANE representative contends that the shelters do not adhere to "internationally recognized standards and protocols," and that, during intake, they do not assess the violence or risk to the woman or develop a safety plan for her (ibid.). In addition, the spaces designated for victims of domestic violence are gender-neutral and, although primarily used by women, they can also be used by men (ibid.). The NANE representative stated that domestic violence victims and their children can stay for 30 days in the spaces allotted for victims of domestic violence, after which they must either move out or transfer to the "general" spaces in the temporary family or mother's homes (ibid.). She said that people can stay in the general spaces for one year and that, at many places, have the option to extend their stay an additional six months (ibid.). The ERRC representative said that she believed that people could stay at county-run family shelters for only "a couple of months" (ERRC 31 Jan.2012).

4.2.1 Shelters in Miscolc

There is reportedly a regional crisis centre in Miscolc (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012; NANE 7 Feb. 2012). The NANE representative specified that there are four spaces designated at this centre for victims of domestic violence, and forty spaces overall (ibid.).

4.2.2 Shelters in Debrecen

Although the Hungarian embassy official said that there is a regional crisis centre in Debrecen (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012), the NANE representative claimed that Debrecen was not part of the original network plan and that there are no designated spaces for victims of domestic violence at the homes in that city (NANE 7 Feb. 2012). However, she did note that Debrecen has "'Temporary Family Homes'" that have their own rules of admission (ibid.). The ERRC representative said that there are county-administered shelters in Debrecen as well as some NGOs that provide counselling services (31 Jan.2012). However, she expressed the opinion that services in Debrecen are "worse" than Budapest because there are fewer NGOs and church organizations (ERRC 31 Jan.2012).

4.2.3 Shelters in Budapest

In addition to the one shelter for victims of domestic violence previously mentioned, the Hungarian embassy official noted that Budapest is part of the network of crisis centres (13 Feb. 2012). According to the NANE representative, there are two institutions in Budapest that are part of this network with a total of 8 designated spaces for victims of domestic violence and 55 spaces overall (7 Feb. 2012).

5. Ability of Victims of Domestic Violence to Relocate Within Hungary

The Hungarian embassy official indicated that it is possible for a victim of domestic violence to go to a crisis centre in another region and to access the same services (Hungary 13 Feb. 2012). He further noted that it is possible for the crisis centres to arrange transfers (ibid.).

The NANE representative explained that, although it is "theoretically" possible for victims of domestic violence to escape a situation of domestic violence by moving away, victims "can not reasonably rely on the authorities adjudicating their cases fairly, neither can they trust that they can secure a 'shelter' place, nor can they trust that their whereabouts will not be revealed to the father of their children" (NANE 7 Feb. 2012). She provided an example in which an alleged abuser who, upon being notified of a victim's relocation to a shelter, visited their child while in the presence of shelter workers and then abducted the child (ibid.). The mother subsequently lost custody of the child because the court reasoned that it was in the "best interest" of the child to stay with the father "'since he has spent so much time there already'" (ibid.).

The NANE representative said that a shelter carried out a study in which it found that a woman with two children in Hungary would need approximately US$2,325 to start a new life if she needed to flee and there were no shelter spaces available (ibid.). In comparison, the NANE representative noted that the average Hungarian income is US$627, but that women earn less (ibid.). Many women who are at home with children receive an allowance of US$120; the husband's permission is required to redirect this money to a new address (ibid.).

The ERRC representative expressed concern about the ability of Roma victims of domestic violence to relocate to other areas of Hungary (ERRC 31 Jan.2012). She said that, although some regions such as Borsod Abaúj-Zemplén County face problems with underdevelopment, unemployment, and prejudice against Roma, the situation for Roma in other areas of Hungary "is not much better" and it would be "very difficult" for Roma women to find accommodation and employment (ibid.). Similarly, a policy paper that was issued for a conference on Roma women by the NGOs Női Érdek, the European Women’s Lobby, and Nemzeti Civil Alapprogram explains that there are several "practical issues" that make it "virtually impossible" for young, uneducated Roma women to flee from domestic violence (7 Apr. 2011, 5). These issues include a lack of housing, insufficient income, and a dearth of employment opportunities (Női Érdek, European Women’s Lobby, and Nemzeti Civil Alapprogram 7 Apr. 2011, 5).

The ERRC representative also noted that, while Budapest might offer "greater opportunities," it is also expensive and many Roma are poor (ERRC 31 Jan.2012). She added that few people will sell their homes to Romani people (ibid.).

6. Domestic Violence, Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation

Sources indicate that Roma women are vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking (CFCF et al.Nov.2010, 4; MONA 10 Feb. 2012). The report of the European Commission indicates that Roma women who flee from abusive partners and do not have secure employment face "particularly acute problems" in supporting themselves and may be at risk of getting involved in prostitution, trafficking or other illegal activities to survive (2008, 124). Similarly, the MONA representative explained that Roma women and girls are particularly at risk of human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation and prostitution, and that the problems of domestic violence and sexual exploitation are strongly correlated (10 Feb. 2012).

According to the policy paper on Roma women, 25 to 30 percent of prostitutes in Amsterdam and 98 to 99 percent of prostitutes in Zurich are Hungarian citizens, of whom 80 to 85 percent are estimated to be of Roma descent (Női Érdek, European Women’s Lobby, and Nemzeti Civil Alapprogram 7 Apr. 2011, 6). Furthermore, the majority of these prostitutes are believed to be victims of trafficking or exploitation (ibid., 7). An ERRC study written with the Slovakian branch of the human rights and humanitarian aid organization People in Need shows that "family complicity" and domestic violence are factors affecting the likelihood of Roma women and girls becoming victims of trafficking (Mar.2011, 55, 90). The research study, which looked at trafficking in Roma communities and included Roma participants from Hungary as well as other countries in the region, indicates that 13 of 37 Roma trafficking victims claimed that family members played a role in their exploitation, and that 9 of 26 trafficking victims had been victims of domestic violence, including sexual abuse, prior to their recruitment for trafficking (ERRC and PiN Mar.2011, 55).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Chance for Children Foundation (CFCF), European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), Foundation for the Women of Hungary (MONA), Hungarian Association for Persons with Intellectual Disability (ÉFOÉSZ), Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (HCLU), Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC), Legal Defence Bureau for National and Ethnic Minorities (NEKI), Minority Rights Group International (MRG), People Opposing Patriarchy (PATENT), and The City Is for All (AVM). November 2010. Hungary - Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review. <http://www.neki.hu/attachments/491_hungary-upr-08112010.pdf> [Accessed 19 Jan.2012]

European Commission. November 2008. Marcella Corsi, Chiara Crepaldi, Manuela Samek Lodovici, Paolo Boccagni, Cristina Vasilescu and the Expert Group on Gender Equality, Social Inclusion, Health and Long-Term Care. Ethnic Minority and Roma Women in Europe: A Case for Gender Equality. <http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/document/index_en.htm> [Accessed 30 Jan.2012]

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC). 31 January 2012. Telephone interview with a representative.

European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) and People in Need (PiN). March 2011. Breaking the Silence: Trafficking in Romani Communities. <http://www.errc.org/cms/upload/file/breaking-the-silence-19-march-2011.pdf> [Accessed 19 Jan.2012]

Fábián, Katalin. 2010. “Reframing Domestic Violence: Global Networks and Local Activism in Postcommunist Central and Eastern Europe.” Domestic Violence in Postcommunist States. Indiana University Press: Bloomington and Indianapolis.

Hungary. 23 February 2012. Hungarian National Police, General Directorate for Criminal Investigation. Correspondence from the Head, Crime Prevention Department to the Research Directorate.

_____. 13 February 2012. Embassy of Hungary, Ottawa. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.

_____. 26 November 2010. Zsófia Tóth. Office of Justice. "Domestic Violence - Legal Background and Support System in Hungary." Paper presented at the European Seminar on Domestic Violence, Paris, 24-26 November 2010. <http://www.cepprobation.org/uploaded_files/Pres%20STARR%20Par%20Toth.pdf> [Accessed 22 Aug. 2011]

IMECE Turkish Speaking Women’s Group, London Training and Employment Network (LTEN), and Regional Social Welfare Resource Centre (BSZF). November 2010. Empowering Women or Perpetuating Victimhood: Minority Ethnic and Roma Women’s Experiences of Domestic Violence Policy and Service Provision. <http://www.lten.org.uk/documents/reports/publications/Final%20report%20Nov.pdf> [Accessed 30 Jan.2012]

Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. 13 December 2010. "Hungary." <http://www.stopvaw.org/Hungary.html> [Accessed 19 Jan.2012]

MONA, Foundation for the Women of Hungary. 10 February 2012. Correspondence from a program coordinator to the Research Directorate.

NANE, Women’s Rights Association. 7 February 2012. Correspondence from a program coordinator to the Research Directorate.

_____. N.d. "Mission and Goals of NANE Women's Rights Association." <http://www.nane.hu/english/mission_goals.html> [Accessed 30 Jan.2012]

NANE, Women’s Rights Association and People Against Patriarchy (Patent). 2011. “Caught Up in Law.” By Julia Spronz in System Failure: Male Violence Against Women and Children as Treated by the Legal System in Hungary Today. Sent to the Research Directorate by NANE, 7 February 2012.

_____. 2010. Advocating for the Rights of Domestic Abuse Victims: Final Report, 2009 to 2010. <http://nokjoga.hu/sites/default/files/filefield/advocating-for-the-right-of-victims-of-dv-project-report-2010.pdf > [Accessed 29 Feb. 2012]

Női Érdek, European Women’s Lobby, and Nemzeti Civil Alapprogram. 7 April 2011. Roma Women in Focus. Current Issues in Europe Regarding the Social and Political Inclusion of Romani Women. Sent to the Research Directorate by the MONA Foundation for the Women of Hungary, 10 February 2012.

United States. 8 April 2011. Department of State. “Hungary.” Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2010. <http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eur/154428.htm> [Accessed 7 Feb. 2012]

Xinhua News Agency. 28 November 2010. Koti Lorant. “Hungarian Women Protest Against Domestic Violence.” (Factiva)

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources:Attempts to contact an official with the Victim Support Department were unsuccessful. A professor at the Central European University was unable to provide information.

Internet sites, including:Amnesty International; Central European University; ecoi.net; European Women's Lobby; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; Hungarian Helsinki Committee; International Crisis Group; International Federation for Human Rights; Minority Rights Group International; Open Society Foundation; Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe; Stop Violence Against Women; Transitions Online; United Nations – Refworld, ReliefWeb.