Deputy State Secretary for Global Affairs Szabolcs Takács travelled to Geneva on 13 September to participate in a panel discussion of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council regarding intimidation or reprisal against individuals and groups who cooperate with the UN in the field of human rights.

Deputy State Secretary Takács talked about the measures governments should take as well as the European Union’s efforts in the field, and the inter-governmental steps that can be made within the framework of the UN to hinder and prevent cases related to reprisal. The panel discussion, opened by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay, was also welcomed in a video message by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. During the debate, chaired by Hungary, several member states saluted Hungary’s commitment to the issue and acknowledged its efforts in this field.

Prior to the panel discussion, Deputy State Secretary Takács met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay and conveyed Minister Martonyi’s invitation to Budapest. During their meeting, High Commissioner Pillay thanked Hungary for initiating the panel discussion and welcomed the fact that Budapest will host the fifth annual Human Rights Forum, which he plans to greet in a video message. He also expressed appreciation for continuous briefings on the major changes in Hungarian law, which are thoroughly reviewed by the Commission’s experts. Deputy State Secretary Takács also briefed High Commissioner Pillay on Hungary’s role in the EU’s Roma Strategy and the country’s internal efforts towards Roma integration, a subject in which the High Commissioner expressed strong interest.

The Deputy State Secretary also met with major international humanitarian and human rights organisations regarding the situation in Syria, in addition to holding a bilateral meeting with Deputy Director of the UN for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Rudolf Müller about the organisation's activities.

(Prime Minister’s Office)