1987. december (144-152. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

i/ ^HKmiMKUIN

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24/D Little Ru&scli Strc«t i LOM DON, W-C.L • Tel. 0/-410 s.< ze • G. Rras-si

146/1987 (e) December lOth,1987

Press Conference and Svmposium on Humán Rights in Vienna

The "Humán Rights International Committee" held a press conference in Vienna on December 9th at 11 am. Those present heard a detailed account about the degree to vhich basic humán and civilian rights are ensured throughout the vorld and to vhajr extent they are obstructed by the authorities. In the press conference great emphasis vas Iáid on the situation of humán rights in Eastem Europe. Vladimir Gregorevits Titov, vho spent 12 years in psychiatric prisons and has only just success- fully emigrated from the Soviet Union two months ago, said - listing names - that of those vho are sentenced to compulsory psychiatric treat- ment fór political reasons he had met a great number who had escaped to Finland and applied fór political asylum bút had been sent back to the Soviet Union by the Finnish authorities. The Humán Rights International Committee condemned this practice as it did in the case of those vho vere sent back to Románia after asking political asylum in Yugoslavia. Much vas said about the problems of uniting families: the authorities prevent the emigration of those going to jóin partners or parents particularly in Románia - including Transylvanian Hungarians - bút there have alsó been complaints from Czechoslovakia, Poland and to a lesser extent Hungary. In Czechoslovakia - as reported by the one Czech vho managed to come - the Charter 77 movement vished to hold a peaceful street demonstration on Humán Rights Day, December 10th, bút tke organisers vere summoned to the police and threatened vith serious action. Reports alsó arrived from the Soviet Union conceming similar police vamings.

At the press conference János Blumgrund spoke on behalf of the Hungárián Humán Rights League vhich operates in Vienna, he read out an info- mation letter sent by many groups of the Hungárián Democratic Opposition to the conference. This letter reported on the exercise of basic humán humán rights - that is personal freedom, the right to travel, press freedom, the right of assembly and combination and the freedom of conscience and opinion - and their restriction and the violation of the principle of equality before the lav in Hungary.

On the evening of December 9th an International symposium vas organised in Vienna focussing on humán rights. Representatives of the Austrian Peoples Party, the Social democratic Party, the "Fórum Őst" - "Eastem Fórum"-, the Austrian U.N. delegate , members of the Humán Rights International Committee and many students took part. Cases of violations of the lav in Hungary again came up. Among others Ferenc Darányi, the ex-president of the European Club in Vienna, spoke about the matter. Then the Hungárián Democratic Opposition’s declaration vas issued to the participants.

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