Hello! My name is Stasya Sokolova. I am Russian, living in Budapest with my Hungarian family. Today I am speaking here as a friend of Megumi Anderson, a mother of two, a Japanese national who lived in Budapest for many years — as she cannot speak for herself.
Megumi was killed in Budapest on the 29th of January this year. Her husband is now under arrest, accused of her murder, and is still waiting for trial.
Since 2019, when I met Megumi at Hello Anyu Café among other moms of toddlers, we knew there was abuse in her family. In 2022 Megumi asked friends for help as the situation with her then-husband became alarming. Megumi was scared for her life. She went to the police with written death threats from her ex-husband — but the police of the 5th district said there was no reason to open a case or give her protection.
She changed the locks at her apartment so her ex-husband — who had moved to another country — would no longer be able to enter her home freely. But the police made her open the door to him because his lakcím card was still registered there.
When on the 29th of January 2025 Megumi’s burned body was found in her apartment in the middle of the day, the police said that “she had been smoking in bed, and no foul play was detected.” But she never smoked.
It took the 5th district police days to change the narrative and say the word murder. We give credit for that to the Patent support, and also to the people of Budapest, whose concern helped change the situation. I want to say thank you on behalf of Megumi and her friends.
Almost ten months have passed since Megumi’s killing. It has been a difficult time for us — her friends, and the mothers of Budapest who met her at the playground in Olimpia Park or in Városliget almost every day for years. When a friend of yours asked you for help, but is killed and you failed to help her — all these 10 months you are thinking what you did wrong, what others did wrong, or what should be changed to prevent more deaths… I would like to share some of my thoughts with you.
First. I don’t believe Megumi’s case is just an isolated tragedy, as some people have said. I believe it is one of the many cases that show that in Hungary violence against women is not taken seriously. Today you heard a lot about this already. Let me just drop one more example from the past two weeks from one of my friends: a police officer arrived at a rape scene and called a rape victim “hölgyemény” to her face. Doesn’t that tell us everything about how he is going to handle the rape case?
I’m Russian, so let me warn you from my country’s experience: the situation with women’s rights — MEANS HUMAN RIGHTS — here can get worse here. Hungary is an amazing country with great culture and great people, among police officers as well! But it’s time to protect this country from the rot of cynicism, misogyny, and its result — underfunding in social services. This worm, this rot is already here. Let’s not make it spread!
Second. We will not make the policemen or the government take violence against women seriously just because we came here today. Hungary has a law against domestic violence, but it’s not working properly. At this point of politics it is our responsibility as a society to push it so it will work. It takes everyday work with the mindset of your neighbours, your colleagues, your parents, your younger siblings. Change their attitudes — FROM “I don’t want troubles,” “I mind just my business,” “I don’t care about politics”… Make them care! Everything in your country is your business. And yes, it means stand by your friend or woman you know. And yes, it involves politics.
I’m sorry for lecturing you today. You are here, that already says so much.
In conclusion, just one more thing. Megumi was the most humble and sweet person I have ever met. It was not easy for her to learn how to fight for her rights. But she still found the strength to fight for freedom. She lost her life trying. But if we act for changes and be a part of changes, then someone else will reach freedom safely — because we made it.