Hungarian American Coalition News, 2004 (13. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)

2004 / 1. szám

territory. To ensure cooperation at all levels, representatives of both the central government and the autonomous authorities participate in a joint institution with a defined working procedure. The legislative acts of the autonomous authorities must be confirmed by the central authorities. While the power of the autonomous territorial authority can vary greatly, the central government generally retains power over foreign affairs, security issues and law enforcement. There are few examples of autonomous authorities which entered into international agreements or became members of international organizations with the consent of the central government. Greenland’s Aland Islands and the Faroe islands are the best examples of this limited measure of independence in international affairs.

Although the transfer of power from the central government to distinct territorial units often leads to a more homogeneous ethnic composition, the autonomous territory generally will not be entirely homogeneous. The country’s majority nationality may well be a minority within the autonomous territory (“included minorities”). For this reason, too, decentralization must be accompanied by pluralistic, democratic government, with full respect for human and minority rights at every level.

Specific autonomy arrangements have been adopted in Spain (in Basque country, Catalonia and Galicia); the Aland Islands in Finland; and Italy’s South Tyrol. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Moldavia granted territorial autonomy to the Gagauz minority.

Minority self-governments with special status. “Special status” applies to national minority communities that constitute a numerical majority among population of a local administrative unit (such as a city). In such a case, the local administration (i.e. city government) is endowed with a higher degree of administrative autonomy - a “special status” - with regard to issues such as education and welfare. Special status means that the existing local authority receives additional powers and competencies by virtue of representing not only a majority vote, but also a significant number of national minority citizens. Taken a step further, a network of several such special-status administrations can form the basis for a regional (territorial) autonomy having additional powers.

Hungarian American Coalition Supports Autonomy Aspirations of Transylvanian Hungarian Community

Arrangements securing territorial or cultural autonomy date back to the Middle Ages in Transylvania and this tradition has inspired the present-day aspirations of the Hungarian minority community. More than a decade ago, at its delegates’ assembly held on October 25, 1992 in Kolozsvár/Cluj, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania adopted autonomy as part of its political program. At a meeting on July 5, 1996, representatives of ethnic Hungarian organizations, the Hungarian government, and Hungary’s political parties unanimously endorsed the concept of autonomy.

The international community increasingly recognizes autonomy arrangements as viable and constructive solutions to the peaceful coexistence of national minorities and governing majorities. The Council of Europe recently resolved that “[sjtates must prevent tensions from developing by introducing flexible constitutional or legislative arrangements to meet minorities’ expectations. .. Autonomy, as applied in states respectful of the

Newsletter Editor: János Szekeres, Graphic Designer: Ajna Pfenninberger.

We are grateful to all those who contributed articles or information to this Newsletter. “Nothing printed here is to be construed as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any legislation before the Congress of the United States.”

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rule of law which guarantee their nationals fundamental rights and freedoms, should be seen as a ‘sub-state’ arrangement,’ which allows a minority group within a state to exercise its rights and preserve its cultural identity, while providing certain guarantees of the state’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.” (Parliamentary Assembly Resolution 1334, adopted June 24, 2003, entitled Positive experiences of autonomous regions as a source of inspiration for conflict resolution in Europe)

The Hungarian American Coalition believes that efforts to promote autonomy by the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania and the Székely National Council are reasonable, timely and necessary. We deplore the statements of Romanian government officials, and police actions taken locally, which seek to criminalize the constitutionally guaranteed right of every citizen of Romania to free speech. As longstanding, strong supporters of the U.S. foreign policy goal to promote stability and democracy in Central and Eastern Europe, we call upon American policy makers to urge Romanian leaders to recognize and act in a timely manner to fulfill the legitimate demands of the Hungarian national minority.

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