Roma Refugee Claims from Hungary

Despite being vilified by the government for being "bogus claimants", Roma refugee claimants who have been fleeing racist violence in Hungary are seeing many of their claims for protection accepted. This is unsurprising given that the Federal Court has routinely found that the Hungarian authorities do not protect Roma from racist violence in their home country.

A recent report from the Harvard School of Public Health indicates that racist violence against Roma in Hungary is accelerating. The report indicates that extreme right wing groups, including the Jobbik party, are consolidating political power in Hungary. Extremist groups are training paramilitaries to take action against Roma and other minorities in the country and hate crimes have become all too common.

The experience of our office indicates that where Roma can evidence they have been a victim of physical violence on account of their ethnicity, the Refugee Board of Canada is more than willing to offer protection. Recently a lawyer in Toronto has been accused of failing to properly represent his mainly Roma clients in their claims. If you are Roma, be careful in choosing your counsel. Our office is well experienced in claims of this nature and if you are a Roma seeking protection please contact our office and ask to speak with Bjorn Harsanyi, a partner at our firm.