Reader’s letter: Who is responsible for national oppression in Transcarpathia?
Reader’s Letter – Unchanged
The more news I read, the more banners about oppression of the Hungarians in Ukraine I see. That’s really surprising because today millions of refugees found homes across Europe including Hungary. And no one discriminates or oppresses them. Such actions are at least unfair and impolite. But why does this happen? What are the reasons?
15 percent of the population is Hungarian
Mainly Hungarians in Ukraine live in the Transcarpathian region. This area historically belonged to Hungary, however, in XXth century it became a part of the USSR. As a result, the Hungarians were torn from their homeland. National majority became the national minority. Nowadays about 150.000 Hungarians live in Transcarpathia, about 15% of the population of the region.
All these decades the Hungarian people had been feeling oppressed but a couple years ago the situation deteriorated so much. Oppression and provocations happened more often and became harsher. For example, a few days ago the local flags and the Hungarian-language signs were removed. Also the personnel purges in Hungarian public organizations were conducted. Ukrainian authorities deny this fact but actually those things happened.
Moreover, in the Transcarpathian region a huge number of men were called-up during the mobilization. Most Transcarpathian Hungarians serve in the 128th mountain assault brigade, stationed in Mukachevo. This brigade bravely fought near Bakhmut where both sides took severe tolls. Hungarians were not an exception. According to a Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, “many Hungarians from Transcarpathia have died in the war”. Also he called for peacemaking cooperation and conflict de-escalation.
Unfair situation in Transcarpathia
As a matter of fact, the situation is extremely unfair. Hungarians, who are not directly involved and who are not responsible for this, pay a high for this conflict. Transcarpathians bravely and desperately fight on the battlefront, they don’t flee the frontline, and they die for Ukrainian independence. In response, the Ukrainian government deprives them of their national identity. Of course, someone will be right saying that they are citizens of Ukraine and they fight for their state. But they still are a part of the Hungarian ethnic group and every death is a significant loss for Hungary. However, judging by the Ukrainian authorities’ actions, these losses are not so significant.
Journalists connect all these actions with Viktor Baloha, People’s Deputy of Ukraine and ex-Governor of Zakarpattia Oblast (Transcarpathia). He repeatedly spoke negatively about Transcarpathian Hungarians and told them to leave the country. He, with the help of his brothers and son and connected with him organized crime turned the region into a criminal empire which can be bled in their own and state interests. He is responsible for what is going on in the region.
Nevertheless, all this lawlessness may be explained by the activity of the local underworld leaders. If we look at this situation globally, we can see serious national oppression of Hungarians in Transcarpathia. It seems like Hungarian people are transformed into second-class people. Sincerely hope that that’s not true. Otherwise it is an extremely strange return hospitality.
Author: Marek Szymkiewicz, Poland
Marek Szymkiewicz, you write with such conviction, yet are not in Hungary or Ukraine. You omit that perhaps some of the treatment stems from Victor constantly bashing Ukriane in the name of “ethnic Hungarians” that has been going on for years. You also forget that Hungarians are now guests in Ukraine, much like the germans that were driven from their homes in Hungary at the end of the last wars with violence. The pot cannot call the kettle black. Your letter does more harm than good because it is filled with unsubstantiated claims. Stay in Poland, we already know how Poles handle minorities and it is not a good thing. As the “ethnic” Hungarians say all over the world: Ha nincs ló, jó a szamár is.