With 10,000 people homeless in Budapest alone, Hungary has figured out how to solve the problem: make homelessness illegal.
Since people who cannot afford a home would likely be unable to pay a fine, one would assume that the state will have to incarcerate homeless people caught breaking the law. Link -via Arbroath
(Image credit: Wikipedia user Nuclear Vacuum)
According to an amendment to the local government act, passed by a strong majority in parliament last month, those found sleeping on the streets will first receive a warning.
They can subsequently be imprisoned or ordered to pay the fine.
The move has provoked widespread criticism, including from Hungary's human rights ombudsman, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports.
Miklos Vecsei, deputy head of the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, said the law had not been passed on the basis of any rational or professional criteria but because the public were fed up with the homeless.
Since people who cannot afford a home would likely be unable to pay a fine, one would assume that the state will have to incarcerate homeless people caught breaking the law. Link -via Arbroath
(Image credit: Wikipedia user Nuclear Vacuum)
This law is almost certainly in contravention of the ECHR and as such the EU will hopefully be taking action against the Hungarian government.
Incomprehensible. /facepalm
If the government really wants to help them they can, nobody is stopping them. I really don't see the need for the government to criminalize the people they want to help.
It makes no sense. It reminds me of ... oh never mind, don't want to invoke Godwins law. ;)
{If you think I'm serious, please familiarize yourself with "A Modest Proposal")