BackMediation and alternative dispute settlement are, without doubt, useful, effective and child-friendly methods in both child protection and criminal justice. A mediation model meeting the expectations of children’s rights has been working well in Western Europe. This method is scarcely used in Hungary since its application is hindered by the absence of training of childcare specialists, insufficient knowledge and legal problems, stated Ombudsman Máté Szabó.
Mediation means that in a dispute between opposing parties with differing views a mutually accepted, unbiased third party helps to explore the cause of the conflict and find a possible solution that is acceptable to all. This third party does not make any decision, only facilitates the settlement. Having reviewed the domestic application of mediation, the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights established that this method, although it could be well utilized in child protection, especially in visitation cases, is hardly used in Hungary, and the child protection agencies are not aware of any other alternative dispute settlement methods.
The Commissioner pointed out that among the 350 members on the National Register of Child Protection Specialists there are only 29 qualified mediators. The Ombudsman requested the President of the National Office for the Judiciary to draw up the methodological guidelines necessary for training lawyers and judges.
Source: Office of the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary
