Minister of State for Justice Róbert Répássy had talks today with Slomó Köves, Executive Rabbi of the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation and his colleagues, attorney-at-law Dr István László Fekete and the representatives of the Action and Protection Foundation, Managing Director Kálmán Szalai and President of the Board Dániel Bodnár, with respect to issues of law application related to the offence of incitement to hatred against identifiable groups. The meeting held at the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice was initiated by Slomó Köves.

Róbert Répássy informed Slomó Köves of the provisions of the new Penal Code that will enter into force on 1 July and the changes in the rules relating to incitement to hatred against identifiable groups and violent crimes committed against the members of identifiable groups. The Minister of State also informed the attendees of the legislative amendment passed on 17 December in conjunction with the bill on the new Civil Code and the enforceability of claims on grounds of collective defamation. At the meeting, the parties also discussed the constitutional aspects of the issue.

The Minister of State for Justice pledged to ensure that experts from the Ministry look into the relevant issues related to the protection of the dignity of communities under constitutional, civil and criminal law and, if necessary, to propose legislative measures to the Minister of Public Administration and Justice.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)