Federal Government under scrutiny as Maja T. alleges reluctance in addressing Hungarian matter
In a bold move, non-binary German antifascist activist Maja T. began a hunger strike in June 2025, following their extradition from Germany to Hungary in June 2024. The extradition, which was later ruled unlawful by Germany’s Federal Constitutional Court in January 2025, has strained German-Hungarian relations and sparked a series of events that have brought human rights issues in Hungary into international focus.
Maja T. has been incarcerated in a Hungarian prison hospital after the 40-day hunger strike, during which they compared their situation to being buried alive and their hunger strike as opening up a grave. The activist's health deteriorated significantly, with severe weight loss and organ damage[2][3].
In an interview with "Wochentaz", Maja T. expressed their skepticism about the impartiality of the judge in their ongoing trial in Budapest, questioning whether the trial is politically motivated[6]. They also criticized the German federal government for insufficient support, despite Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's announcement to improve their detention conditions[7]. However, Maja T. claims that they have noticed no change in their conditions[8].
Maja T. believes that Germany has a responsibility to act due to the illegal extradition and does not want to put themselves in a situation of powerlessness, referencing the threat of forced feeding[4]. If their rights continue to be denied, Maja T. has threatened to resume the hunger strike[9].
The activist has been accused of carrying out several attacks on right-wing extremists together with other left-wing radicals in February 2023[10]. Maja T. has also questioned whether Germany wants to align itself with Orbán, given their perceived enemy image in Hungary[11].
The case has fuelled debate on the balance between security, political repression, and human rights protections in EU judicial cooperation, potentially affecting future extraditions and bilateral relations[1][3]. The controversy surrounding Maja T.'s situation highlights serious systemic problems in Hungarian prisons and judicial fairness, generating legal and diplomatic conflict between Germany and Hungary[1][2][3][5].
References:
- Deutsche Welle
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Der Spiegel
- The New York Times
- Wochentaz Interview
- Deutsche Welle
- The Guardian
- BBC News
- Deutsche Welle
- The New York Times
Maja T.'s ongoing trial in Budapest raises questions about its impartiality, as they believe it could be politically motivated. The activist criticizes the German federal government for insufficient support, despite Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul's announcements to improve their detention conditions. In response, Maja T. has threatened to resume their hunger strike if their rights continue to be denied, highlighting the controversy and legal conflict between Germany and Hungary. The case has sparked a debate on the balance between security, political repression, and human rights protections in EU judicial cooperation, potentially impacting future extraditions and bilateral relations.
