The ministers of justice of the European Union held an informal meeting by videoconference today, at which State Secretary for European Union and International Judicial Cooperation János Bóka represented Hungary.

One of the main topics of discussion at the meeting was the fight against the sexual abuse of children. Child abuse knows no borders, and accordingly joint action by member states is vital within this field. At the meeting, János Bóka emphasised that Hungary is committed to the highest possible level of protection for children, and we regard a policy of zero tolerance as the only acceptable approach with relation to child abuse. “We must develop the instruments through which it becomes the obligation of online service providers to detect, report and remove content relating to the sexual abuse of children”, he stated.

Also on the agenda of the meeting was action against crimes that are motivated by anti-Semitism. “It is highly important for us to maintain honest and open dialogue on the increasing phenomenon of anti-Semitism, in view of the fact that in certain places in Europe we regularly experience physical and verbal violence against the Jewish community, and attacks against Europe’s Jewish heritage”, Mr. Bóka stated, adding that when we talk about the rule of law in Europe, anti-Semitism must be included among the problems that need to be discussed. The Hungarian government is committed to protecting Jewish communities and to the fight against anti-Semitism. Based on data collected in 2018 by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), Hungary had the lowest number of people who felt anti-Semitism had increased, and it is in Hungary that respondents are least worried that they will be attacked in future because they are Jewish.

(Ministry of Justice / MTI)