Fidesz Politician Stands Against Using War as an Excuse to Restrict Human and Minority Rights
Hungary Stands by Ukraine but Advocates for Minority Rights During War
Hungary’s head of parliament’s foreign affairs committee, Zsolt Németh, spoke out in support of Ukraine’s unity and independence while stressing the importance of preserving human and minority rights. Németh made these remarks during a conference on the situation of minorities in Ukraine at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg.
Németh expressed his approval of the Venice Commission’s report on Ukraine’s minority law, which he deemed a “milestone” in addressing the issue. He emphasized that acquired rights should not be taken away and urged their restoration, suggesting that Ukraine’s integration into Europe could facilitate this process.
While affirming Hungary’s condemnation of Russia’s war, Németh criticized the use of the minority issue as a pretext for aggression. He argued that this approach hinders the representation of national minority causes.
Németh underscored Hungary’s support for Ukraine but reiterated that the war should not justify restrictions on human and minority rights. He highlighted the international community’s determination to protect minority rights and expressed hope that Ukraine would be receptive to the opinions of the Venice Commission and the international community.
Andrea Bocskor, an MEP from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party, echoed Németh’s concerns about minority rights in Ukraine. Bocskor cited the Venice Commission’s report, which identified issues related to the protection of minority rights in Ukraine. She hoped that the Commission’s opinion, coupled with pressure from the international community, would persuade Kyiv to amend its minority law.
Bocskor particularly criticized the “disproportionate” imposition of the Ukrainian language on minorities, noting the negative impact this would have on education. She acknowledged that the decision to delay the amendment to the education law regarding bilingual education until September 1, 2024, provided temporary relief for Transcarpathian Hungarians. However, she emphasized that this was only a postponement of the underlying problem.
László Brenzovics, head of the Transcarpathian Hungarian Cultural Association (KMKSZ), called on Ukraine to revert to the application of European norms that were once part of its legal system.
The opinions expressed by Hungarian officials during the conference indicate their support for Ukraine’s unity and independence while emphasizing the crucial importance of safeguarding human and minority rights during times of war. Hungary urges Ukraine to address the criticisms raised by the Venice Commission, the international community, and Hungarian representatives in order to promote a fair and inclusive society for all minority groups in Ukraine.
