The German co-governing Social Democratic Party (SPD) has voiced significant concern over the situation of activist Maja T., who is currently on hunger strike in Hungary. Falko Droßmann, the SPD parliamentary group’s spokesperson for LGBTQ+ affairs, stated in an interview with the newspaper “taz” that the group is closely monitoring her case. He urged the Foreign Ministry to instruct the German ambassador to Hungary to make personal contact with Maja T. and to take action to comply with rulings from the Federal Constitutional Court.
Maja T. has been detained in Hungary for approximately a year, facing charges related to alleged attacks on right-wing extremists in Budapest in February 2023. Her extradition to Hungary was subsequently determined to be unlawful by the Federal Constitutional Court. She has been in court in Budapest since February and has been on hunger strike for five weeks, seeking improved detention conditions and repatriation to Germany. She has recently been transferred to a correctional hospital near the Hungarian-Romanian border.
SPD MP Falko Droßmann visited Maja T. in Budapest prior to her transfer, noting “significant doubts” regarding the conditions of her detention and the fairness of the legal proceedings. He emphasized the right of Maja T., as a German citizen, to a fair trial, highlighting the seriousness of the Federal Constitutional Court’s declaration regarding her extradition.
The party stated solidarity with Maja T., promising to advocate for her fundamental rights at all political levels and to support all diplomatic and legal initiatives aimed at her return to Germany. Droßmann stressed the necessity of independent courts clarifying whether criminal charges are warranted, rejecting any pre-judgment or political manipulation of the case.
He specifically called on Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (of the CDU) to take action, asserting the Foreign Ministry’s responsibility to address the situation of wrongfully detained German citizens.
According to Maja T.’s family, her health has recently deteriorated considerably. She has reportedly lost 14 kilograms and faces the risk of permanent organ damage. Hungarian doctors have reportedly considered forced feeding, despite Maja T.’s opposition documented in an advance directive. Medical professionals are also reportedly considering the implantation of a pacemaker, as her heart rate has briefly dropped to 30 beats per minute. An alternative possibility is transfer to a civilian hospital where continuous ECG monitoring could be implemented. However, the family indicates that, in such a scenario, Maja T. would likely be continuously restrained to meet Hungarian security measures.