Press freedom is at risk in Hungary, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muižnieks said in his recent report on the country. He also noted threats to media pluralism and the fact that the Media Council is not considered to be independent from political influence and control. A frightening rise in xenophobia against asylum seekers and Roma – who still face extreme persecution in the Hungarian education system - was also condemned, as was the country's arbitrary detention of migrants. The commissioner also called on Hungary to repeal criminal sanctions for defamation cases.