People gather at the Heroes' Square during a demonstration in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 16, 2024. Tens of thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest's Heroes' Square on Friday to demand justice for child abuse victims and stricter child protection laws from the government in connection with a child abuse pardon scandal which had triggered the resignation of several high-profile figures in recent days. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
BUDAPEST, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Tens of thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest's Heroes' Square on Friday to demand justice for child abuse victims and stricter child protection laws from the government in connection with a child abuse pardon scandal which had triggered the resignation of several high-profile figures in recent days.
The scandal, which has grown into a national outrage, started last week with 444.hu, an independent Hungarian news portal, uncovering that Endre K., who had been convicted for helping to cover up child abuse cases that went on for years in a children's home, was pardoned by Hungarian President Katalin Novak in April 2023. The scandal led to the resignation of the president and that of former Justice Minister Judit Varga, who had signed off the presidential pardon.
Friday's demonstration, which was organized by popular Hungarian YouTubers, influencers, and cultural figures, was supported by many other celebrities who accused the state of grossly neglecting child protection and of bending the course of justice based on political considerations.
"We've had enough. Regardless of our political standing, we find it important as civilians to raise our voices in defense of the victims, and for transparency, human decency, and honest social dialogue," the organizers said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
According to left-wing activist Marton Gulyas, one of the organizers of the demonstration, more than 50,000 people joined in Friday's demonstration.
Earlier on Friday, Zoltan Balog, a Calvinist bishop and former advisor to the president, also announced his resignation as ecclesiastical president. He previously served in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government as minister of human resources from 2012 to 2018.
Balog admitted that he had committed a "serious political mistake" by supporting the pardon of Endre K. ■
A man takes photos of people gathering at the Heroes' Square during a demonstration in Budapest, Hungary, Feb. 16, 2024. Tens of thousands of Hungarians gathered in Budapest's Heroes' Square on Friday to demand justice for child abuse victims and stricter child protection laws from the government in connection with a child abuse pardon scandal which had triggered the resignation of several high-profile figures in recent days. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)