Translation to be certified
The Hungarian Helsinki Committee is protesting for the rights of the
recently arrested – public letter
To:
Dr József Petrétei Minister
of Justice
Dr Zoltán Lomnici President
of the Supreme Court of Justice
Dr Ervin Belovics Deputy
Chief Prosecutor
Gentlemen,
The Hungarian Helsinki
Committee is more and more concerned about the increasing number of reports
about the arrest of people who have convincing evidence of not having taken
part in violent actions.
We know that in certain
situations it is difficult to make difference between those who contributed to
the riots in an active way and those who were just watching it or were simply
passing by. But we require that during the three days of custody the
investigating authorities and the prosecutor examine the cases thoroughly and
detain only those who are proved to be undoubtedly guilty.
The Courts ordering the
arrest have to examine carefully the circumstances whether the reasons of the
arrest are proved. They should not put a seal automatically to the proposal of
the prosecutor.
According to the data given
by the Prosecutor’s Office the Court ordered custody in 34 cases out of 35 and
house arrest in 1 case. This 100 % of sentencing is rather worrying. The
policemen acting during the riots were probably not able to distinguish those
who committed the violent actions from those who simply had to go past there.
Today a mother turned to the
Hungarian Helsinki Committee whose son with a clean record was arrested because
while he was going home from work – he works for a civil organization to
prevent the spread of drugs - he got near a drunk man who was abusing
policemen. Although there is evidence to prove his innocence he was sentenced
to 30 days of custody. The Court did not take into consideration the
arguments of the defence in
his decision.
The mother wrote in her
letter: “My son thinks in a liberal way, he is absolutely tolerant, he avoids
all kinds of aggression and is deeply humane. He committed one great mistake:
he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. If he is arrested for this for
three days - being his mother - I feel sorry for him but I accept it because of
the unusual situation. However I would have never thought of such an unjust
consequence of my son simply passing by where others really behaved in an
aggressive way. I accept that the firm action of the police is in the interest
of each Hungarian citizen in dangerous and delicate situations, but the police
abuse might ruin the life of decent people. Please help to prevent this with
the available means.”
Gentlemen,
The Hungarian Helsinki
Committee is demanding the same from you. Please take the necessary measures to
sentence only those who are really guilty and to order custody only in those
cases where it is absolutely necessary.