Hungary is a destination, sending and transit country for trafficking in women.
One third of the women in prostitution in Hungary is from Ukraine, Romania and Russia.
Ukrainian mafia now controls the industry. Most women are in "behind closed doors
prostitution." (Dr. Borai, "International Workshop on Trafficking in Women in
Central and Eastern Europe, Budapest," IOM, 4-5 October 1997)
Since 1990 in Hungary, there has been a significant increase in the number of
foreign prostitutes from Romania, Ukraine and Russia. ("Trafficking and Prostitution:
The Growing Exploitation of Migrant Women from Central and Eastern Europe," IOM, May
1995)
Case
In agreement with the Ukrainian police, the Hungarians raided several clubs and
arrested the Ukrainian women. These women were expelled and taken to the frontier where
some were beaten by the border guards on arrival in the Ukraine. ("International
Workshop on Trafficking in Women in Central and Eastern Europe, Budapest," IOM, 4-5
October 1997)
Official Corruption and Collaboration
The Hungarian and Ukrainian police collaborate to combat organized crime and
trafficking in women. ("International Workshop on Trafficking in Women in Central and
Eastern Europe, Budapest," IOM, 4-5 October 1997)
Approximately 500 children are in prostitution in Hungary. (UNICEF, "Hungary
considers legalized prostitution," http://www.nando.net, 1 December 1997)
Policy and Law
Hungary is considering legalizing prostitution, making the estimated 10,000
prostitutes in the country taxable by the government. Budapest alone may have 7.500
prostitutes, 2/3 of which are in massage parlors and others on the streets. (police
sources, police expert Akos Borai, "Hungary considers legalized prostitution,"
http://www.nando.net, 1 December 1997)
The Interior Ministry has drawn up two proposals on legalizing prostitution in
Hungary. According to the first proposal, prostitutes would be limited to working in
special "tolerance zones". The second proposal states that a prostitute would be
required to be registered as an "individual entrepreneur" and would be subject
to taxation. (Ben Slay, "Will Hungary Legalize Prostitution," 12 August 1996 )