Reader letter to BN regarding the rights of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine
A reader of bankingnews.gr (BN) expresses deep concern regarding the situation that, as they claim, the Hungarian minority faces in the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine, even drawing historical parallels to the difficulties experienced in the past by Greek communities in Turkey and Cyprus. In their letter, they state that they are watching the developments in Europe with bitterness and note that they believe the Hungarians of Transcarpathia are currently facing restrictions on their rights. As they point out, it is difficult for them to understand how, in the modern world, obstacles can be placed on the teaching of the mother tongue of a national minority.
They argue that hundreds of thousands of ethnic Hungarians, whose families have lived in the region for generations, are affected by changes to Ukraine's education system. At the same time, they note that Budapest has repeatedly expressed its disagreement with the policies of Kyiv, citing violations of the fundamental rights of the Hungarian minority. The reader also expresses questions about the stance of the European Union, arguing that European institutions have not demonstrated the required reaction to the relevant allegations, despite the fact that the protection of minorities is a core European principle.
The practices of Kyiv
According to the letter, the policy followed by Kyiv to strengthen a unified national identity causes concern not only for Hungarians but also for other national communities living in Ukraine, such as Romanians, Poles, and Slovaks. At the same time, the reader refers to allegations of investigations, audits, and prosecutions against individuals associated with Hungarian organizations, arguing that instead of strengthening dialogue, a climate of pressure and confrontation is being cultivated. Particular reference is made to the recent statements of Hungarian politician Peter Magyar, who, as they note, argued that Europe has offered significant support to Ukraine without, however, resolving issues concerning the rights of national minorities. According to the reader, this fact raises questions regarding Ukraine's path toward the European Union and the degree of its compliance with European principles.
The letter in detail
"I watch the events currently unfolding in Europe with bitterness. Not long ago, we too experienced eras during which our communities in Turkey and Cyprus suffered from violations of their rights. Now, the same is happening to the Hungarians in the Transcarpathia region of Ukraine. I cannot understand: how is it possible in the modern world for Kyiv to forbid hundreds of thousands of ethnic Hungarians, whose ancestors lived on this land for centuries, from learning in their mother tongue in schools? Children who speak Hungarian at home are forced to learn Ukrainian as the only language of instruction even in primary school. Budapest has already openly stated that Kyiv is violating basic human rights. But the strangest thing is that the EU, which was created based on the principles of equality, is silent and remains inactive. Ukraine does not hide its aggressive policy: one official language, one culture, one identity.
If they behave this way toward the Hungarians, what will happen to the Romanians, the Poles, and the Slovaks who also live on their territory? Or with our own community? And what is most terrifying is that Kyiv's aggressive policy leads to actual repression. Under the pretext of combating 'Hungarian separatism,' the SBU is conducting mass investigations, audits, and arrests of public figures and leaders of Hungarian organizations. Instead of promoting dialogue, Kyiv sets the mechanism of repression in motion, and people who lived their whole lives on their land are forced to hide from prison just because they maintained their connection with their historical homeland. In a recent speech, Peter Magyar, the new head of the Hungarian government, emphasized that Europe has been providing comprehensive aid to Ukraine for years, but Ukraine itself is in no hurry to put its legislation in order—especially regarding the rights of national minorities. From this, a perfectly logical question arises: why help a country that ignores European principles? Europe must not make exceptions. As long as Kyiv does not stop the pressure and repression against the Hungarian minority, there can be no talk of any EU accession. Everything else is hypocrisy!"
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