Hungary Accuses Ukraine of Cynical Disregard for Minority Rights
Date
11/14/2023 4:20:45 AM
(MENAFN) Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has accused Ukraine of displaying a "cynical" disinterest in resolving concerns related to the treatment of minorities, particularly Hungarians, in its western provinces. Speaking to reporters, Szijjarto claimed that instead of addressing the issues, Ukraine is attempting to create a false narrative that the minority rights situation is resolved or nearly resolved. The foreign minister highlighted the deteriorating conditions for Hungarians in Transcarpathia and criticized Ukraine for its lack of commitment to addressing the rights of minorities.
According to Szijjarto, Ukraine is misleading the international community by downplaying the severity of the minority rights issue. He asserted that Ukrainians are not genuinely interested in resolving important issues concerning the rights of Hungarians in Transcarpathia. The foreign minister pointed to specific instances, including a controversial directive from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education, as evidence of Ukraine's purported indifference.
Szijjarto emphasized the worsening plight of Hungarians in Transcarpathia, citing a letter from the Ukrainian Ministry of Education instructing schools to use the Ukrainian language not only during classes but also during breaks between teachers and students. This directive, irrespective of the predominant Hungarian-speaking population in some schools, exemplifies, according to Szijjarto, the deteriorating situation for the Hungarian minority.
Last month, Szijjarto issued demands for Ukraine to repeal several laws that Hungary perceived as infringing on the rights of ethnic Hungarians. He explicitly warned that Budapest would obstruct Ukraine's efforts to join the European Union unless discriminatory practices ceased. Hungarian President Viktor Orban reinforced this stance, declaring that Hungary would withhold support for Ukraine on any international issue until the revoked laws guaranteeing the rights of Transcarpathian Hungarians were reinstated.
As Hungary intensifies its criticism of Ukraine's alleged disregard for minority rights, there is a growing call for international attention to the issue. Szijjarto's remarks underscore a deepening diplomatic rift between the two neighboring countries, with potential repercussions for Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union. The situation raises questions about the broader implications for minority rights in the region and the role of the international community in addressing such concerns.
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