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Congressman's letter to Slovak Prime Minister - HHRF Press Release |
2010.02.02, 10:02 Tartalomjegyzékhez Egyszerű |
Hungarian Human Rights Foundation (HHRF)
Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio Calls on Slovak Prime Minister to Reconsider In a strongly-worded letter dated January 28, Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio (D-10) called on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to rethink the undemocratic language law that came into effect in Slovakia on September 1, 2009. The law “discriminates directly against Slovakia’s ethnic minorities that comprise fifteen percent of the total population; specifically the Hungarian community that constitutes eleven percent of ethnic minorities in the country,” states the final version (attached) obtained by HHRF. The lawmaker found that “implementation of such a law violates the basic human right of freedom of expression that is a fundamental underpinning of all successful democracies.” Congressman Kucinich objected to fines ranging between “€100 and €5,000 for the unauthorized use of any language other than Slovak in official communications” that the law imposes. Employees of the state have to use the official—Slovak—language “during the performance of their duties, ” thus, “a firefighter responding in the Hungarian language to a call for help could be subject to disciplinary action under the law,” holds the letter. Other provisions of the law “clearly intend to degrade the rich history of ethnic minorities and seek to homogenize the diverse identities of the peoples in the region,” asserted the Congressman; while the inequality, fear and mistrust that law promotes and instills were among the chief concerns the legislator pointed out. In conclusion, Mr. Kucinich’s letter called upon Prime Minister Fico to guarantee equal protection and freedom from discrimination for all in Slovakia regardless of ethnicity or language. HHRF has been closely following and reporting on the restrictive and punitive amendments to the Slovak State Language Law adopted June 30, 2009. For further documentation please visit www.hhrf.org or contact any of our Foundation’s three offices: Hungarian Human Rights Foundation (HHRF) has worked since 1976 to mobilize international support for the 3 million Hungarians who live as national minorities in Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia and Slovenia. HHRF regularly collects, translates, analyses and disseminates reports on the human rights condition of these communities. With offices in New York, Budapest and Kolozsvár, Romania, the Foundation serves as a clearinghouse of information for Western governments, human rights organizations, the media and the public. |