Case of Ilaria Salis, detained in Hungary, and human rights in Hungarian prisons
19.12.2023
Question for written answer E-003713/2023
to the Commission
Rule 138
Pina Picierno (S&D), Patrizia Toia (S&D), Giuliano Pisapia (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Beatrice Covassi (S&D), Camilla Laureti (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D)
On 11 February 2023, Ilaria Salis, an Italian citizen, attended an anti-neo-Nazi rally in Budapest. Tensions at the event lead to clashes and beatings, as a result of which some people were injured. Ilaria was then apprehended by the Hungarian police on the charge of grievous bodily harm, even though the injuries of the two assaulted individuals who reported her were only minor. The Hungarian judiciary believes that the victims suffered ‘acts potentially capable of causing death’, punishable by a 16-year sentence.
According to reports by Fabio Tonacci in newspaper la Repubblica on 16 December 2023, Ilaria was imprisoned for 6 months in Hungary, unable to make phone calls and in inhumane conditions, and bound by the neck in a cell with mice and cockroaches.
The state of Hungarian prisons has been documented and criticised by the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
Almost a year on from the events, the Italian and Hungarian judiciaries have yet to cooperate on this matter for obvious reasons of mistrust, as Hungary’s motives appear to be political.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Is the Commission aware of this case?
- 2.Will it take steps to put an end to this flagrant violation of human rights?
Submitted:19.12.2023