In Brussels, on 15 December 2025, the European Democratic Party called for immediate intervention by the EU institutions in the crisis shaking Hungary: new evidence that has emerged in recent days indicates that thousands of minors have been victims of psychological, physical and sexual abuse in public institutions linked to the child protection system and juvenile justice, without the authorities intervening promptly and effectively. For the EDP, this is not only a judicial issue, but also a deeply political and European one: when those who should protect the most vulnerable fail, and when public accountability has no consequences, the rule of law is weakened and fundamental rights become negotiable.
According to the EDP’s statement, the seriousness of the case also lies in its duration and institutional awareness. Official reports dating back to 2021, only recently made public, show that the competent authorities were already aware of the extent of the problem but did not take adequate action to stop the violence and ensure full accountability. Over time, more than 3,000 cases of abuse of various kinds have been documented, including incidents of sexual violence, exploitation and situations related to child prostitution, with a particular focus on youth correctional facilities, including the Budapesti Javítóintézet, the juvenile rehabilitation institute on Szőlő Street in Budapest. For the EDP, this situation directly calls into question the state’s ability to protect minors and prevent places designed for care and rehabilitation from becoming spaces of impunity.
In this context, Sandro Gozi, Secretary-General of the European Democratic Party and MEP for Renew Europe, linked the complaint to a central theme of the European liberal and centrist agenda: the concrete defence of rights, without exceptions and without double standards. “This is not an isolated case but a systemic failure. When abuse against children has been known since 2021, when thousands of cases are documented, and when sexual violence and exploitation are ignored, the responsibility lies at the top. It is clear that the only families Viktor Orbán really protects are his own and those of his political allies — not Hungarian families, and certainly not children locked up in state institutions and reformatories. Europe cannot remain silent when fundamental rights are so clearly violated,” he said, recalling the Union’s obligation to protect the most vulnerable, especially when they have no voice to defend themselves.
The course of action outlined by the EDP now aims to transform outrage into institutional checks and operational measures. Mr Gozi has submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission asking for transparency on the use of EU funds in Hungary in the areas of juvenile justice and the protection of children in residential facilities. The aim is to clarify which EU-funded programmes are involved, what resources have been used, whether these projects have also involved juvenile detention or correctional institutions, and whether the safeguards currently in place are sufficient in light of the “systemic” nature of the abuses described. The EDP also calls for strengthened European supervision, including the possibility of a European Parliament fact-finding mission.
Meanwhile, the social impact of the affair has exploded in the Hungarian public sphere. The EDP note reports large protests in Budapest over the weekend, with tens of thousands of citizens taking to the streets to demand truth, justice and real protection for children in state care. In this climate, Péter Márki-Zay, president of Mindenki Magyarországa Néppárt, a Hungarian party member of the EDP, attributed direct political responsibility to the prime minister: “Viktor Orbán did not protect children even though he knew everything. He protected paedophile predators to defend his regime. Enough is enough: with the strength of Europe and the courage of the Hungarian people, we must stop Orbán! Let’s put him in prison!” For the EDP, beyond the harshness of political rhetoric, there is only one issue at stake: ensuring that child protection is not sacrificed to power interests and that institutions are held accountable for their omissions.
The European Democratic Party insists that this initiative is not a partisan dispute: it concerns the protection of children, the effective application of fundamental rights and the maintenance of the rule of law in the Union. Within the framework of Renew Europe, the EDP is calling for the Commission and the European Parliament to act swiftly, shed light on any responsibilities and verify that European resources allocated to child protection produce measurable controls and results. The next step for European democrats is to translate the findings into coherent European decisions: more transparency, more supervision, more protection for those who cannot defend themselves.
