GICJ Oral Statement with Meezaan Center for Human Rights 

Delivered by Yasmine Darwish

On the 23rd of March, Yasmine Darwish delivered an Oral statement for the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Hungary, on behalf of the Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ), and Meezaan Center for Human Rights. In her Oral Statement, Ms Darwish addressed the issue of migration, which is one of the most serious challenges Hungary is currently facing. We remain concerned about Hungary's procedure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deprived asylum seekers of the right to access fair and efficient asylum procedures and has exposed them to the risk of direct or indirect refoulement.

Therefore, Meezaan and Geneva International Centre for Justice call on Hungary to ratify the Global Compact on Migration and remove or suspend restrictions that prevent or impede access to the national asylum system. We also urge Hungary to take additional measures to ensure that all citizens, including migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, the elderly, children, and marginalized women, receive adequate services for health, education, and other basic needs.