Letter to the Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement

dr. Tibor Draskovics
Minister of Justice and Law Enforcement

Dear Mr.Minister,

It has come to our attention through media reportings that during the March 15th, 2008 State Ceremonies, In-Kal security guards behaved in a manner associated with police measures. Specifically, checking identities, searching the clothing of, and confiscating various items from citizens practicing their right to assembly in Budapest. All this, in the presence of the police. According to media reports, employees and contractors of this economic group received 5.95 million Hungarian forints for this activity.

We kindly ask Mr.Minister to inform us of the following:

– What specific activities did the employees of In-Kal Security conduct during the securing of the March 15th, State Ceremony sites (National Museum and vicinity)? On what orders or specific terms of reference were they acting upon?

– How many persons were involved in securing the event sites on behalf of the private security service? How many citizens were exposed to their activities?

– Did the employees of the security service in fact check identities and search clothing of citizens or conduct any other actions associated with police measures? If so, on what legal grounds?

– Did the police co-operate with the security service? If so, who was the contact person? If not, did any member of any police organizational unit witness these activities? If so, what measures were taken regarding the activities of the security service? If none were taken, what was the reason for it?

Further to the above mentioned data, in accordance with the 1992. LXII. Act on Personal Data Protection and Freedom of Information, the HCLU kindly requests a copy of the contract and appendixes, written directions and orders serving as basis of the above mentioned activity with relation to the March 15th events to be sent to our offices or e-mail address.

Sincerely,

Balázs Dénes
Executive Director
Hungarian Civil Liberties Union