EU calls on Slovakia over mistreatment of Hungarian minority

The Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities is criticizing Slovakia on how they treat Hungarian minority in the country. Slovak authorities do not condemn political speeches inciting violence or hatred sufficiently or only late.

The Committee objected to several points in their document, summarizing its fifth recommendation in relation to Slovakia in a total of 306 points, reports ma7.sk. For example, they recommend improving the education of Roma children and the support mechanism for national minorities.

Violent speech against Hungarian minority

Although the Committee appreciates the fact that Slovakia has increased its support for minority cultures and the media in recent years, there are still some issues to work on, writes Index.hu. According to the committee, the Slovak authorities do not condemn incitement to violence and hatred in public or political speech. Even if they do so, it happens only after a long period of time. Not to mention the fact that there is a lack of data about these cases. Anti-minority rhetoric needs to be tackled more vigorously, experts say. What is more, respect for diversity in society needs to be actively promoted.

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Lands are taken away from Hungarians

In paragraph 119, the EU-committee adresses one of the main issues. According to independent experts, the Slovak authorities could still apply the 1945 confiscation ordinance, which targets mainly Hungarian and German minorities, reports Mandiner.hu. After World War II, the infamous Benes decrees established the collective guilt of the Germans and Hungarians living in the country. They wanted to create a Czechoslovak nation-state. However, lands are still taken away from Hungarians, which creates legal uncertainty.

What is the position of the Slovak government?

The Slovak side does not agree with the fears of the Hungarian minority. They believe the issue has already been sorted out. Although these measures resulted in a number of individual grievances and tragedies, they were legal and legitimate.

As for the Hungarian minority, they want to start a dialogue on how to resolve this issue. The above mentioned decree was re-applied recently, which is unacceptable. In paragraph 125, the committee invites the authorities to enter into a dialogue with the representatives of the national minorities. They should have a discussion about the main problems concerning Hungarian minorities.

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Source: ma7.sk, mandiner.hu, index.hu