52 earlier reports. For example, regarding the safe operation of an elec- Save Food!” on food waste reduction targets four different age tricity supplier, the pruning of trees in a way that goes beyond what groups. In Hungary, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Future is necessary and causes damage is an unacceptable practice, having Generations was contacted in order to carry out the translation, pub- regard to the vegetative state of trees, as well as to the breeding and lication and promotion of the material. nesting period of animals. The European Economic and Social Committee initiated It is not uncommon that drivers of off-road vehicles destroy pro- an evaluation and review process on the Environmental Crime tected plants by “drifting”. When activities endangering the natural Directive in close cooperation with the Commissioner for Future values are reported to the authorities, their primary responsibility Generations and his staff. The summary results of the review are is to clarify whether the area concerned is a protected natural expected to be published in 2020. area. Accordingly, the activities might constitute a criminal offence or an environmental misdemeanour. In October, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights turned to the National Human Rights Institutions and request- Modern community transportation with a well-connected net- ed them to share their opinion and experience on children’s expo- work is one of the main pillars of sustainable urban transport. If sure to adverse environmental effects and the assessment of the buses wait at the terminal with a running engine (even though this measures employed. In his response, the Commissioner for Future disturbance occurs in connection with a public service implying an Generations outlined certain practices that involve harm to the increased obligation of tolerance), the unjustified motor-running environment, the lack of adequate measurement and monitoring, falls within the category of unnecessary disturbance, which no one and presented some exemplary best practices that may promote the is obliged to tolerate. enforcement of children’s right to a healthy environment. In a case concerning the environmental licensing of a public In April, the Ombudsman for Future Generations was the patron power line, the environmental authorities did not sufficiently clar- of a legal forum entitled “Sustainable Development & Human ify the facts of the case, and they did not detect the anomaly of the Rights – Legal Perspectives and Beyond” held in Krakow, where power line route segment. Consequently, they referred to the origi- he also gave a presentation with one of his staff members. nal route in their positions and did not raise objections against the In November, the Ombudsman for Future Generations travelled modified route. The Commissioner and his Deputy concluded that to Malta, where he met the President of the Republic of Malta and the environmental legislation on the licensing of route facilities the Maltese Ombudsman, and in a panel discussion gave a speech is not sufficiently detailed. on the rights of future generations and the possibilities for their 2.7.3. INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT enforcement. In May, the Ombudsman for Future Generations participated in a panel discussion in London, where he presented the experience In his engagement with the United Nations Sustainable De- gained by our organisation acting for the protection of the in- velopment Goals (SDGs), the Ombudsman for Future Genera- terests of future generations that could be used for tackling the tions consistently emphasises that the implementation of these situation after Brexit. goals can solely be interpreted together with fundamental hu- The Network of Institutions for Future Generations (NIFG) was man rights, and broad public consultations are essential for their created in 2014 on the basis of the report titled “Intergenerational achievement. This was outlined by the Ombudsman on numerous Solidarity and the Needs of the Future Generations” issued by the UN occasions. This idea was also emphasised in a speech delivered Secretary General, bringing together national organisations that by a staff member of the Ombudsman for Future Generations represent the interests of future generations, hence serve as at the panel discussion of the Regional Forum on Sustainable model institutions. The Network aims to facilitate the exchange Development for the United Nations Economic Commission for of information and experience, and its main objective is to foster Europe, which was incorporated into the summary prepared for long-term strategic thinking, paying particular attention to future the United Nations High-level Political Forum. generations, and support the establishment of similar national insti- Upon the joint request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, the Secretariat of the Commissioner for Future Generations prepared a summary of the SDG-related activities tutions. The secretarial functions of the Network are performed by the Secretariat of the Ombudsman for Future Generations. During the year under review, the Network published two documents which are available electronically (see picture below). of the Office, emphasising the challenges faced by the Office as a National Human Rights Institution, as well as the possible solutions and best practices that may be shared. The Commissioner for Future Generations gave his opinion on the documents concerning the SDGs prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The educational material package of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) entitled “Do Good: REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF HUNGARY AND HIS DEPUTIES – 2019