Hungary: Maja T. voices discontent over insufficient aid from the Central Government
Despite a ruling by Germany's Federal Constitutional Court that Maja T.'s extradition to Hungary is unlawful, the federal government has yet to take decisive steps to secure her return. The court's ruling, made in January 2025, found that the extradition violated fundamental rights based on EU law and highlighted systemic deficiencies in Hungarian prisons, including discrimination risks related to Maja T.'s non-binary identity.
Maja T., who has been on a hunger strike since June 2025 to protest the lack of a fair trial and demand transfer back to Germany, continues to be detained in Hungary, facing up to 24 years in prison. Her legal situation in Hungary has raised concerns, with Hungarian courts denying her request for house arrest due to perceived flight risk and her health deteriorating significantly during her hunger strike, leading to hospitalization.
The German government's response to Maja T.'s case has been limited and criticized. German politicians from the Green Party and the Left Party have campaigned for Maja T.'s return, with European Parliament Left Party leader Martin Schirdewan calling on the German government to prioritize her repatriation. A petition signed by over 100,000 people supports this demand. However, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has not publicly commented on the case, and although the Federal Foreign Office has expressed support and sent embassy staff to hearings, activists and Maja T.’s family say there has been insufficient political will or action to intervene meaningfully.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) recently announced he would advocate for better detention conditions for Maja T., but Maja T. has not observed any improvements in her conditions. She has expressed her belief that Germany has a responsibility to act further in her case, a sentiment echoed by those who support her repatriation.
Maja T. made these comments in an interview with "Wochentaz" following the court's ruling. The federal government continues to be criticized for its handling of Maja T.'s case, with many questioning why decisive action has not been taken to secure her return from Hungary.
Table: Current Status of Maja T.'s Case
| Aspect | Status as of mid-2025 | |-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Extradition legality | Ruled unlawful by German Federal Constitutional Court in Jan 2025 | | Legal situation in Hungary| Detained, facing up to 24 years, denied house arrest; shows systemic prison issues | | Hunger strike | Ongoing since June 2025, leading to severe weight loss and hospitalization | | Germany's political stance| Limited action; some parties push for repatriation; Chancellor Merz silent; Foreign Office supportive but inactive in results | | Public support | Large petition and demonstrations backing Maja T.'s return |
Maja T.'s legal situation in Hungary, marked by denial of house arrest and deteriorating health due to a hunger strike, continues to be a subject of concern in the realm of policy-and-legislation and general-news. The German government's response, marked by limited action and public silence from the Chancellor, has been met with criticism and calls for decisive steps to secure her return, a demand echoed by Green Party, Left Party politicians, and a petition signed by over 100,000 people. The ongoing hunger strike and potential health risks for Maja T. highlight the need for political action and intervention, emphasizing the broader implications of this case in the realms of politics and human rights.
