In Budapest, Hungary, social media influencers organized a protest on February 16 against the pardoning of a man involved in child sexual abuse, which led to the resignation of the country's president and former justice minister. The protest attracted a young, politically apathetic crowd, raising concerns for Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party ahead of upcoming elections. Influencers like Judit Banyai used their platforms to mobilize citizens, with political parties across the spectrum endorsing the event. The protest highlighted issues within Hungary's child care institutions and the broader dissatisfaction with the state of democracy and Fidesz's politics. The organizers also raised funds to support a victim of the abuse case, and the event's impact on future political engagement remains to be seen.

Ukrainian refugees in Hungary are conflicted between the hospitality of individual Hungarians and the nationalist government's pro-Russia stance. Despite fewer refugees choosing Hungary compared to other neighboring countries, refugee organizations emphasize that national politics play a minor role in the refugees' quality of life and encourage Ukrainians to reconsider their options in Hungary.

In Hungary, a protest organized by social media influencers on February 16th against the presidential pardon of a child abuse case convict drew thousands, including many politically disinterested youths. The protest, which took place in Budapest's Heroes' Square, was a response to the pardon of a deputy director of a state children's home involved in a sexual abuse case. This event has led to the resignation of the state president and former justice minister. Influencers, comedians, and musicians mobilized their followers, many of whom are young and liberal, to join the protest. The protest was supported by politicians from various parties and was notable for its lack of political flags, aiming to avoid politicization. The scandal has caused widespread outrage in Hungary, especially among the youth, who are generally dissatisfied with the current state of democracy and are disengaged from political parties.

Hungary faces a demographic crisis with over 700,000 Hungarians living abroad, impacting the workforce and economy. The Hungarian Government's multi-million euro program aims to reverse this trend, but many young Hungarians remain unconvinced, citing low wages, poor job opportunities, and dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policies, including those perceived as anti-LGBT and anti-immigrant. Opposition parties criticize the program as ineffective, suggesting job creation and housing incentives as better solutions. The article highlights the challenges of bureaucratic processes for returnees and the broader discontent with the direction of the country's politics.

Hungary is facing a demographic crisis with over 700,000 Hungarians living abroad. The government has launched a $3.5 million program to entice them back, but many remain unconvinced due to low wages, high unemployment among youth, and dissatisfaction with the political direction under Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Critics, including the EU, accuse Orban's government of democratic backsliding and policies hostile to migrants and the LGBT community. Despite the government's efforts, including new administrative offices and a website, young Hungarians abroad cite economic and political reasons for their reluctance to return. Opposition parties and emigrants question the program's effectiveness, suggesting that job creation and social reforms would be more effective in reversing the emigration trend.

Over the past week, RFE/RL has covered a range of stories including Azerbaijan's new offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, Hungarian hip-hop artists critiquing the government, the return of a Ukrainian boy after extensive medical treatment in Germany, Ukrainian military advances, Romanian defense measures, volunteer efforts in Ukraine, the prominence of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov's sons, the imprisonment of Ukrainian civilians by Russia, and Ukraine's role in U.S. politics. These stories highlight ongoing conflicts, political dynamics, and human interest narratives from the regions RFE/RL reports on.

Hungarian hip-hop artists are increasingly engaging in political expression, criticizing the right-wing Fidesz government led by Viktor Orban. At music festivals like Sziget and EFOTT, artists like Krubi and Lil Frakk use their platforms to voice dissent, despite facing censorship and exclusion from state funding. The government, accused of undermining democracy and being hostile towards migrants and the LGBT community, controls much of the media, promoting nationalist content. Young Hungarians, who primarily consume media through social media and streaming services, are exposed to these critical voices, while the older generation, who rely on traditional media, remain largely influenced by government-endorsed messaging. The article suggests that while these artists resonate with their young fans, they may not be reaching beyond their base or offering complex critiques that could shift the political discourse.

Lake Balaton, Central and Eastern Europe's largest lake, has become increasingly popular during the pandemic, leading to a surge in prices and the construction of new hotels, artificial beaches, and private sailing clubs. This transformation into a destination for the wealthy, coupled with Hungary's soaring inflation, has made Balaton unaffordable for many locals. Property prices in the area have skyrocketed, and the influx of tourists has driven locals out. The majority of beaches are now privately owned with high entry fees, making them largely inaccessible to average Hungarians. The right-wing government, particularly members of the Fidesz party, have been accused of corruption and democratic backsliding, with many politicians owning properties near the lake. Local residents and environmental activists are concerned about the impact of new developments on the environment and the exclusion of locals from the lake's amenities. Despite the area's popularity, there are signs that high prices are starting to deter tourists, with a significant drop in tourism this summer.

Roma refugees from the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine, who fled to Hungary following Russia's large-scale invasion in February 2022, face a complex legal status and poverty despite escaping the war. Many, holding Hungarian passports and identity documents, were ineligible for EU temporary protection and ended up in collective shelters. A year later, with the help of Hungarian NGOs like Taleta, many are rebuilding their lives in Hungary. However, they still face challenges such as illiteracy, unemployment, discrimination, and poor living conditions. Organizations like Romaversitas and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee highlight the vulnerabilities of the Transcarpathian Roma and the need for better integration and support.

Hungarian doctors are increasingly leaving the country for better pay and working conditions in Western Europe, exacerbating staffing shortages in Hungary's healthcare system. Last year, over 800 doctors sought certificates to practice abroad, contributing to a decade total of 8,500. Hungary's doctor per capita ratio is below the EU average, and hospital departments faced over 46,000 days of shutdowns in 2022, often due to staff shortages. Despite a 10% increase in doctors since 2010 and a recent 11% pay raise, the healthcare system is strained, with long waiting times for surgeries and a stark contrast in working conditions compared to neighboring countries. The private healthcare sector, offering competitive environments and salaries, is attracting both returning Hungarian doctors and those unable to afford long waits in the public system.

In Budapest, Hungary, a villa in the Buda hills has been transformed into a shelter for Roma refugees from Ukraine, primarily women and children. The Zugligeti Béke Tanoda, a volunteer-run education facility, provides schooling for refugee children. The Roma community faces discrimination and challenges in finding housing due to their extended family structures. The Hungarian government's anti-migration policy and lack of preparedness for intercultural communication exacerbate the situation. Volunteers and NGOs are filling gaps in government support, but the sustainability of aid is uncertain. The government's response to the refugee crisis is criticized, with accusations of insufficient action and reliance on volunteer organizations. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee and Migration Aid are among those providing assistance, while Budapest Pride offers support for LGBTQ+ refugees. The article highlights the precarious situation of refugees, the risk of exploitation, and the importance of civil society in providing aid.

The World Health Organisation, in collaboration with PEPFAR and Ukrainian partners, is distributing antiretroviral drugs to people with HIV in Ukraine, including a recent delivery across the Polish border. Around 260,000 people in Ukraine live with HIV, and the war threatens to reverse progress in treatment and care. Despite the conflict, 367 treatment sites remain open, and efforts continue to ensure ongoing treatment for those affected, especially as over four million people have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

Palm Springs, California, will provide a guaranteed income to a group of transgender and non-binary citizens as part of a new pilot program. The city council allocated $200,000 for the pilot, which will give $600 to $900 monthly to 20 participants, with another 20 as a control group. Local non-profits Queer Works and DAP Health are involved in the program's design and funding application. Mayor Lisa Middleton and Queer Works CEO Jacob Rostovsky have acknowledged the community's needs but expressed concerns about the program's scalability. Thomi Clinton, CEO of the Transgender Health and Wellness Center, hopes for inclusive access to the program.

Corey Boykins, a gay firefighter with the New York Fire Department, has filed a complaint alleging anti-gay harassment and hostility by former department chief and chief diversity officer, Lt Darius Dorset. Boykins claims Dorset suggested that gay men can be 'cured' and proposed that he should have sex with women. Despite the alleged harassment, Boykins is determined to remain with FDNY. The New York City's Law Department is reviewing the complaint, and Dorset has been reassigned and no longer serves as a diversity officer. This follows a 2018 lawsuit by former FDNY firefighter Michael Troina, who alleged homophobic bullying.

RFE/RL's weekly roundup includes stories on a hacktivist group exposing prisoner abuse in Iran, Hungarians regretting Sputnik and Sinopharm vaccines, Afghan suffering due to climate change, Romanian COVID patients self-treating, the fallout from a Russian anti-satellite test, the threat to human rights group Memorial in Russia, continued poppy cultivation in Afghanistan despite Taliban's ban promises, a Russian hospital treating young COVID patients, Iran's new population law criticized for restricting contraceptives and abortions, and the Russian stand-up scene under pressure after a comedian's joke prompted a police inquiry.