Hungarian American Coalition News, 1992 (1. évfolyam, 2. szám)
1992 / 2. szám
Hungarians in Czecho-Slovakia by Dr. Edward Chaszar When the official separation of the Czech and Slovak Republics becomes effective on j January 1, 1993, the precarious situation of the 3/4 million-strong Hungarian minority in Slovakia is likely to take a turn — at least in the short run — for the worse. This is the assessment of Miklós Duray, one of the best known spokesmen for the Hungarian minority, who was jailed twice under the communist regime as an undesirable human rights activist. Speaking at a press conference in V ienna recently, Duray, who is chairman of the Coexistence/Együttélés political party and occupies a seat in the soon-to-be defunct Federal Parliament in Prague, disclaimed rumors that members of the Hungarian minority were arming themselves for a potential Slovak-Hungarian conflict. The spreading of such rumors forms part of the political arsenal of the Slovak government, he said. Much to the chagrin of the Hungarian minority, the new Slovak government, formed last June and consisting mainly of j ex-communists — including the dogmatic and anti-Hungarian Prime Minister, Vladimir Meciar — takes an ever-hardening position vis-a-vis Hungarians. In part this is backlash, reflecting the exacerbated relations between Hungary and Czecho-Slovakia as a result of the Bös/Gabcikovo Dam controversy. In a large part, however, it is the continuation of previous Slovak policy, aimed at gradually dispersing, reducing, and assimilating the Hungarian minority. The means for the implementation of this policy have also been rather consistent over the last forty years: (1) changing the ethnic composition of the Hungarian-inhabited areas by the settling of Slovaks, or bringing in large numbers of Slovak workers (as in the BŐs/Gabcikovo area), while at the same time forcing Hungarians to seek employment elsewhere; (2) reducing slowly, but steadily, the number of Hungarian schools by redistricting and other administrative measures; (3) curtailing the use of the Hungarian language, as by the language law of 1990. One could go on with the list. More recently, the new Slovak constitution, adopted on September 1,1992, fails to grant and safeguard the rights of minorities according to current European and international standards. One may only hope that in the long run the current nationalist tide in Slovakia will recede and a more pragmatic leadership will realize that a small, newly independent country cannot prosper without coming to terms with its minorities and neighbors. Until then the Hungarian American Coalition will do well to continue informing and advising the U.S. government and international organizations on problems of the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, and keep a watchful eye on the situation. 1993 Human Rights Workshop PITTSBURGH has been chosen as the site of the next Human Rights Workshop, to be held on June 4-6, 1993. In the absence of Andrew Ludanyi, who has helped organize the workshop since it began four years ago, the following Committee will make plans; Ddiko Bodoni, László Hamos, and Edith Lauer. We seek hosts — partners — Committee members from the Pittsburgh area. If interested in participating, please call the Coalition office. WATCH FOR DETAILS IN OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER! In Memóriám JÓZSEF ORMAY Many people knew him from the articles he wrote for Hungarian newspapers, in which he stressed the need for respect, for cooperation, for improved communication in the Hungarian American and Canadian communities. He urged the establishment of an Information Office to deal with matters of interest to all of us. Perhaps that is why he was an early and enthusiastic supporter and active member of the Coalition: eager to share past experience in building a new organization to respond to changing needs in Hungary. When I met him three years ago, I felt an intense kinship with this sometimes solemn man, whose generous smile softened his strongly worded opinions. His interest in the Coalition ranged from some impatience with our rate of progress, to participating in or writing about our projects, on occasion defending us against what he considered unjust criticism. When József Ormay died unexpectedly on October 1, 1992,1 felt a sharp sense of loss of a trusted friend whose generosity of spirit was a source of strength in the past and will remain an example for the future. (EKL) Special Gift in Memory of József Ormay A special gift of $500 in honor of József Ormay will be used by the Hungarian American Coalition as underwriting for the 1993 Human Rights Workshop for young Hungarian-Americans. Winter 1992 • Hungarian American Coalition News • 5
