Demonstration held in Budapest against new law banning homelessness

A protest against a Hungarian law amendment that bans anyone from living and sleeping in a public space was held on Sunday.

A few hundred people gathered in Kossuth Square in front of Parliament and were addressed by a number of celebrated Hungarian writers.

The law amendment comes into force on Monday.

At the demonstration organised by the activist group The City is for Everyone (A Város Mindenkié), Márta Erdőhegyi, a member of the group, said punishment was not a solution to the problem of homelessness, and instead people should be helped to get hold of a home.

Whereas homeless refuges provide security and help for many, more durable and worthy solutions are needed to eliminate homelessness, she added.

Attila Fülop, the state secretary for social affairs and inclusion, reacted that real help comes in the form of services that Hungary’s homeless actually make use of.