General legal framework

• Author: Lídia Hermina Balogh
• Pages: 9-10

9

2 General legal framework

2.1 Constitution

2.1.1 Constitutional ban on sex discrimination

The issue of gender equality is discussed in the Fundamental Law of Hungary (the

constitution) in relation to the issue of equality before th e law.35 The Fundamental Law

explicitly states that ‘women and men shall have equal rights.’ 36 Another provision of the

Fundamental Law provides that fundamental rights should be available for everyone

without discrimination, and in particular without discrimination on grounds of race, colour,

sex, disability, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin,

property, birth or any other status.37

2.1.2 Other constitutional protection of equality between men and women

One provision in the Fundamental Law, related to the issue of gender equality, is

considered controversial because of the paternalistic approach it adopts: ‘By means of

separate measures, Hungary shall protect families, children, women, the elderly and

persons living with disabilities.’38

2.2 Equal treatment legislation

The framework rules on equal treatment are in cluded in the Equal Treatment Act. 39 This

Act plays a c entral role in equal treatment l egislation because it defines the ground s of

discrimination and the basic concepts of equality law to be appli ed throughout the entire

legal system. It also regulates the mission, the structure and the roles of the most

important equality body, the Equal Treatment Authority.

The evaluation of the Equal Treatment Act has changed since it s enactment, when it was

considered (at least by the wider public) to be a breakthrough that would lead to a legal

system in which equal treatment would be not only a mere legal principle (as it was in the

socialist era) but a collection of rules that are intended to be implemented. An NGO

umbrella organisation, the Hungarian Women’s Lobby (Magyar Ni Érdekérvényesít

Szövetség), produced a lengthy in-depth analysis of the d raft act, 40 although this was

ignored during the legislative process. However, the past 15 years have substantiated the

original critique of the legislation, and the Equal Treatment Act is now regarded as a rather

unsuccessful result of in itial good int entions. Although at first glance the Act did indeed

transpose the E U acquis (and some international law norms), the princip les of equal

treatment have in practice remain ed on paper rather than permeating the entire legal

system. In sum, not enough substantive or effective protection was generated by the new

rules (see e.g. that the phenomenon of ma ternity-related discrimination is still

widespread).

The formal transposition can equally be criticised, becau se it uses unclear terms and

definitions, e stablished a weak Equal Treatment Authority, and h as regulated sanctions

35 Fundamental Law of Hungary (Magyarország Alaptörvénye), 25 April 2011, Article XV (1).

36 Fundamental Law of Hungary (Magyarország Alaptörvénye), 25 April 2011, Article XV (3).

37 Fundamental Law of Hungary (Magyarország Alaptörvénye), 25 April 2011, Article XV (2).

38 Fundamental Law of Hungary (Magyarország Alaptörvénye), 25 April 2011, Article XV (5).

39 Act CXXV of 2003 on Equal Treatment and the Promotion of the Equality of Opportunities (2003. évi CXXV.

törvény az egyenl bánásmódról és az esélyegyenlség elmozdításáról), 28 December 2003.

40 See: ‘The position and the suggestions of the Hungarian Women’s Lobby’s regarding the Bill on Equal

Treatment and the Promotion of the Equality of Opportunities’ (A Magyar Ni Érdekérvényesít Szövetség

[röviden: Ni Érdek] véleménye és javaslatai az egyenl bánásmódról és az esélyegyenlség

elmozdításáról szóló törvényjavaslathoz), 27 November 2003, available at:

http://www.nokjoga.hu/sites/default/files/filefield/2003-eselyegy-tv-kritikaja-noierdek.pdf.