Fraternity-Testvériség, 1957 (35. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1957-05-01 / 5. szám
FRATERNITY 5 SEND THEM BACK? HUNGARY’S BRAVE CHILDREN POSE A PROBLEM By Anne and Gordon Gaskill Vienna. — The Hungarians say grimly the reason the Russians attacked Budapest at 4:30 a. m. last November 4 was that they hoped, at such an hour, to catch the children still asleep. The children of Hungary, once such a scourge to Soviet tanks and troops, are now a different kind of problem — for the West. “Nothing like it has ever come up with us before”, says an official of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. “They fought like veteran soldiers and yet, legally, a lot of them are mere children.” What do you do, for instance, if parents in Budapest really want their 14-year-old son to come home from his haven in Austria? All over the world, custom and law give parents control over their children. Should Austrian authorities send him back even if he doesn’t want to go? Or are they justified in keeping him against his parents’ wishes? Suppose the boy wants to go back himself — but the Austrians know he was a real freedom-fighter, probably wanted by the Russians? Should you trust his 14-year-old judgment? Perfect Score — So Far So far, Austria has managed not to send back one single child, against his will. Austria’s polite, yet determined, sparring began at a conference about three months ago, including officials from Austria, from Red Hungary and from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. Hungary demanded that Austria surrender immediately all refugee children under 18, unaccompanied by their parents. “But by Austrian law”, an Austrian pointed out blandly, “childhood ends at 14.” The Communists argued that the children were Hungarian, and that Hungarian law, by which childhood lasts until 18, should apply “Sorry”, said the Austrians. “They are in Austria now, and Austrian law must apply.” As the argument warmed, a United Nations official (an American) had an inspiration. “If”, he interposed, “you think a parent’s word is law, and if parents who are Hungarian refugee in Austria want their children who are still in Hungary, presumably you would be willing to send those children out?” The Hungarian delegation said they’d have to take this up in Budapest, and the meeting adjourned. Two weeks later, Budapest agreed — or said it did. It promised it would let out of Hungary any children under 14 that fathers, now refugees in Austria, would apply for. Hundreds rushed to apply. They are still waiting. More than two months have elapsed, and the Red Hungarians have welshed on the deal. So far they have not let a
