Hungary to close home for disabled criticized in NGO report

Published May 23, 2017

The April 18, 2017 photo provided by the Mental Disability Advocacy Center MDAC on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 shows a patient lies on his bed at an institution in the city of God, near Budapest, where some 220 people reside. Hungarian authorities say they have suspended the director of a home for people with disabilities after a report from a civic group made serious claims of abuse and neglect. (MDAC via AP) (The Associated Press)

Hungarian authorities say they have suspended the director of a home for people with disabilities after a report from a civic group made serious claims of abuse and neglect.

The Mental Disability Advocacy Center found multiple signs of ill-treatment and malnutrition among the 220 residents at the Tophaz Special Home near Budapest. Experts said the some of the allegations amounted to torture as defined by the United Nations conventions.

The State Secretariat of Social Affairs and Inclusion said Thursday it plans to close the home "in the near future" as part of a program to move people to smaller homes from large institutions.

The state secretariat said it planned to move 2,500 people with disabilities out of large institutions by the end of 2018.

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