Hungarian law-makers are to set new standards for the treatment of youngsters by the police. Essentially, Hungary is responding to a phenomenal growth of criminality among young people by intensifying the protection of children. This is a landmark innovation central to the evolution of new, democratic principles in law enforcement and the administration of justice. One reason for the change is that the victims of violence by child offenders are often themselves children, and both the number and severity of the offences is on the increase. Instead of lowering the age of criminal responsibility, as contemplated in many countries baffled by similar phenomena, Hungarian law-makers intend to compel the police and the courts to show greater regard for the human rights and emotional needs of the victims.
Parliament is also to set up a fund for the compensation of the victims of violent crime.
It will be financed from fines imposed on offenders by the courts. Hungary is a regional trend-setter. Its legislative experiment marks an important stage in the evolution of human rights in law enforcement throughout the formerly communist-dominated Europe. The draft legislation is based on revolutionary concepts for these countries where, until recently, policemen were traditionally regarded as the suppressers of illegal activities without any regard for the needs of victims. She has emerged as a powerful agent of social reform.