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European Commission examines Slovakia’s anti-Hungarian law
The European Commission has confirmed that it is examining concerns raised over Slovakia’s recent legal changes related to the controversial Beneš Decrees, following a formal letter sent by Katalin Szili, a senior adviser to the Hungarian prime minister.
The European Commission started an investigation regarding Slovakia’s new law
Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert stated that Brussels has received Szili’s submission and is currently assessing the issues outlined in it. The letter was addressed to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and focuses on a recent amendment to Slovakia’s Criminal Code, which could allow prison sentences of up to six months for publicly criticising the Beneš Decrees.
Szili, who serves as the prime minister’s adviser on autonomy efforts in the Carpathian Basin, published an open version of the letter on her social media page earlier this month. She argued that the Slovak amendment represents a serious breach of the European Union’s core legal principles, particularly freedom of expression and the rule of law, writes 24.hu.
In her view, the legislation conflicts with Article 11 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guarantees freedom of opinion and access to information. Szili stressed that debate over historically and legally significant state actions, including the Beneš Decrees, clearly falls within the realm of public interest and should not be subject to criminal sanctions.
What are the Beneš Decrees, and why are they controversial?
The Beneš Decrees, adopted after the Second World War, formed the legal basis for the collective punishment of ethnic Germans and Hungarians in former Czechoslovakia. They enabled widespread confiscation of property and the stripping of citizenship. Although decades have passed, their legal legacy continues to have tangible consequences.
Orban is a little fat dwarf standing next to Fico.
Why must some, like Larry, spew ad hominem attacks without adhering to the topic at hand?
Hungary has every right to contest the Benes decree as it clearly contains collective guilt. I doubt that Ursula will lift a finger, as biased as she is.
If you are going to post as “Freedomofspeech” you just contradicted yourself. The dwarf fat man will not directly address the Benes decree and speak with Fico about it or even put out a strongly worded condemnation. Instead this person who doesn’t have a pair refers Hungary’s concern to Ursula von der Leyden to investigate. Orban is a coward hiding behind the skirts of the woman he has vilianized on posters across the country for a couple of years now. Orban is a chicken who won’t speak out for the most basic rights of Hungarians if it upsets relations with a fellow ally on the unspoken Russian alliance that he belongs to.