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Minority communities in Hungary have had great expectations about the new Parliament elected in April 2010. They were hoping that the two-third majority of the governing political forces would pass the legislation vital for their interests that had not been adopted for years due to the lack of political consent.
However, Hungary’s Minority Communities and the ombudsman responsible for the protection of their constitutional rights have to draw the unfortunate conclusion that no substantive steps have been taken yet to improve minority rights and to establish a real cultural autonomy and an effective minority self-governance. Furthermore, the deterioration of the living conditions of the Roma community and the delay in passing the measures aiming the integration of Roma as promised is disquieting.
In these days, this assessment is especially relevant. The concept of the new Constitution that has been published recently contains provisions that would result in a serious backspace concerning minority rights. We have to witness the systematic demolition of the achievements of the last two decades in the field of minority rights, and this is happening while Hungary - as the current President of the European Union - is also mandated to represent European diversity.
The functioning of the minority self-government system - which is one of the main achievements of the Hungarian minority policy - has been endangered by a significant reduction of its financial support. The minority self-governments are going to be less and less able to fulfil their main role - sustaining their cultural and educational institutions - because of the financial restrictions.
A great indignation of the minority communities has been caused by the plans, according to which the new Constitution would abolish the autonomous existence of the institution of the Minority Ombudsman, hereby abrogating its independent inquiry competences.
The national minority self-governments’ right to consent has been abolished in legislative questions, which results in a decrease of their impact on minority-related decisions.
The concept of the new Act on Public Education does not contain anymore the financial guarantee of preserving the present level of minority education. The concept can be disapproved from the equal opportunities’ point of view as well. It only formally claims that solidarity and equity are considered its main goals, in effect however the concept enhances the reproduction of social inequalities and deepens the gap within society.
In the last few years I have objected the disfunctional operation of the public employment system several times. The new regulation however rendered more difficult the living of multiply disadvantaged families amongst whom many belong to the Roma minority. The provision has generated a storm of indignation between poor people who are ‘invisible’ because of their inability of lobbying for their interests, and hoping jobs and livelihood to avoid pauperage and starvation.
Furthermore, there is an appreciable tendency of creating tension towards some minority groups instead of resolving social and economic problems effectively.
The safeguard and constant prevail of minority rights is of crucial importance, therefore we feel obliged to inform the public on these issues.
On behalf of and mandated thereof by Hungary’s Minority Communities: Dr. Ernő Kállai, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Rights of National and Ethnic Minorities
