1987. március (14-32. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
dl 24/0 little Ru»sell Street, LONDON, ItfC.i ■ Tel. 04-H&O n 26 • G. Krossi 19/1987 /E/ 11th March, 1987 The Call of the "March the 15th Humán Rights Group11, Formed in Budapest On the 15th of March, the anniversary of the 1848 democratic revolution and freedom struggle, the Hungárián police has attacked the demonstrating youth several times over the pást 15 years. The most serious incidents took piacé in 1972, 1973 and 1986. On these occasions the joined formations of the Budapest police beat hundreds of young people with police batons and imposed heavy fines of those arrested. Last year, following these events, an ad hoc humán rights group was formed to protect those against whom the police began legal proceedings. This time there again a "March the 15th Humán Rights Group" was formed - on this occasion in advance already - and today it has published a nationwide call in which they ask the authorities nőt to use violance against the demonstartors. This is the text of the call: As it is remembered, a year ago, at the time of the commemorations on the occasion of March the 15th the police tried to prevent the by now traditional, independent and spontaneous demonstrations. It brutally attacked those participating in the marches and brought illegal and authoritarian measures against a good number of those taking part. The participation of several thousand people last year shows that March the 15th is a reál national holiday fór the residents of the Capital and particularly its youth. We call on the authorities to recognise the population’s right to itself choose the way in which it wants to commemorate the 15th of March. Instead of obstruction, violence and administrative measures the police should ensure free space on the usual route of demonstrations; in the inner cities of Pest and Buda and on the Danube river bridges. We, on our side, are asking the participants of the demonstrations too nőt to offer a cheap excuse fór retaliation by the authorities and that they should récéivé with dignity the possible provocations. We trust that at least on this single day the Hungárián authorities will tolerate peacefully if the population gives voice to the demands which are unchanged since 1848: freedom of the press, democracy, and a wish fór national independence. Those signed below will follow attentively the events of the day, they will récéivé gratefully reports on them and will publish the possible cases of abuse of power by the authorities. We are asking the Hungárián press, rádió and TV to make this call public* On behalf of the "March the 15th Humán Rights Group" Miklós Haraszti, writer Tamás Perlaki, childcare social worker László Rajk, architect
