Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Hungary (Ratification: 1994)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Penalties involving compulsory labour as a punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to certain provisions of the Penal Code, under which sanctions of imprisonment (which involve an obligation to perform labour, under section 33(1)(d) of Law-Decree No. 11 of 1979) may be imposed in cases of incitement to agitation against the law or authorities (section 268), agitation against communities (section 269) and disturbance of the public order by openly declaring false facts or by spreading rumours (section 270). The Committee requested copies of relevant court decisions defining or illustrating the scope of these provisions. In this regard, the Committee notes the copy of a decision of the Supreme Court of 2010, submitted with the Government’s report, which illustrates the limited scope of application of section 269 of the Penal Code. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the application of sections 268 and 270 of the Penal Code in practice, including copies of any court decisions which could define or illustrate the scope of these provisions.