Hungary is a country of poignant contradictions – a case study in the
challenges of contemporary human rights. Located at the heart of what was once
Nazi-occupied Europe, Budapest now boasts an exciting renaissance of Jewish
life. Ruled by a communist dictatorship from 1947, riven by a failed democratic
revolution in 1956, Hungary became a republic in 1989. But recent political
trends have raised serious concerns about a move back towards repressive and
anti-democratic policies.
In May, the René Cassin-AJA Fellowship Programme visited
Budapest to meet with local Jewish activists working with those most affected
by that rising repression. We learned about Jewish life and social action in Budapest, and
the trip shone a spotlight on Hungary’s Roma community.
The
highlights of the trip? One Fellow said “Hard
to pick as it was all great really. I think I learned so much from meeting with
the Hungarian Helsinki Committee. Very useful to hear the perspective of a
frontline defender and especially informative for me as I’m particularly interested
in human rights of refugees.”
Another: “The opportunity to meet and talk with
Hungarian Jewish and Roma community activists: learning about the challenges
faced by both communities and also the efforts being taken to challenge
stereotypes.”
Read the full programme itinerary below or download it here.
Today, 10th December, is International Human Rights Day – the 76th anniversary of the signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
The Declaration was a reaction to the horrors of the Holocaust. So, for Jews, today has a particuar significance.
Although rooted in response to atrocity, the Declaration was forward-looking and optimistic. It spoke for the majority of people who knew a better world was possible. The fact that it’s co-author , the French-Jewish lawyer Monsieur Rene Cassin, could draft such a hopeful document so soon after 26 members of his family were murdered by the Nazis is a testament to his humanity and the power of human rights in general.
Today, as the organisation that works in Cassin’s name, we are determined to ensure his Declaration’s vision of human rights for all is fully realised. Central to that work is a focus on so called ‘socio-economic rights’ – rights to everyday essentials like food, housing and health. This vision was best articulated in Article 25 of the Declaration:
‘Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control’.
Bolstering these rights would ensure everybody has access to the foundations on which to build a dignified, prosperous and meaningful life. They have been neglected for too long.
We are constantly developing our campaigns, planning events, and cultivating discussions on Human Rights issues, sign up for our email updates and we’ll keep you informed on all we are working on and how YOU can get involved.
