1988. február (17-31. szám) / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2

estimate or quota (annually at least) which takes intő account the capacity of the country, fór the benefit of Románián citizens uho wish to settle here. This would in- volve - in accordance with international, fór example West Germán practices - those of Hungárián origin, native language and culture having preference bút it would alsó make it possible fór a limited number of others to settle here; those who entered illegally must alsó be included in this estimate (which will increase). The criterion fór political asylum, which is hard to comprehend in Hungary, must be exchanged fór more generál humanitarian criteria. The situation has rendered the rigid notion of family unification obsolete.

2. The refugees are of course destitute bút even legal resettlers are deprived of all they possess by Románián law. The Transylvanian refugees need financial, social and medical help and work, flats, education and vocational retraining etc. Fór this reason a special budget formula must be devised and a govemment Office must be set up under parliamentary control and independent of the police to review and administrate it.

There must be temporary accomodation fór those refugees and resettlers that need it when they arrive (if necessary a refugee camp), where fór a given amount of time they can récéivé free food, medical treatment, reliable Information and legal advice.

They should alsó récéivé emergency aid in the form of a long term loan free of interest.

3. In addition to the reassuring, calculated and planned resettlement of those concemed there must be humanitarian measures to deal with "illegal" refugee cases; It must be made clear that noone will ever be handed over to Ceaugescu’s secret police. The govemment should alsó conduct discussions with foreign powers on sheltering those

who do nőt want to or cannot stay in Hungary; the outcome of this must be made public; a formula must be found to provide identity papers fór the refugees (fór example a type of "stateless passport").

4. The govemment, unlike previously, must inform continuousüy and factually the public and those concemed, this is anyway their constitutional duty.

II

We call upon social organisations - primarily the Red Cross - and independent bodies, groups, movements, unions, alliances, civil rights associations, economic work collec- tives and individual enterprises to aid the refugees according to their ability. Nat- urally Hungárián society did nőt wait fór our announcement to reveal its solidarity and generosity. A special mention must be made of the churches* charitable work.

Charity work must be coordinated in a way nőt to endanger the safety of illegal refugees.

1. We call upon all the churches to act as gatherers and distributers of information in addition to their other activities. Let all the churches, parishes and ministries act as bases fór the refugees.

2. We call upon the patriotic organisations to collect money, organise public con- tributions, collect addresses of those willing to shelter people and to register all officials who are ready to help. The recent (hopefully temporary) situation necessi- tates documenting unregistered ("black") work.

3. We call upon the legal profession to offer refugees free legal advice; the doctors to give them free treatment and to supply them with the necessary certificates; the authorities to listen to their consciences and if necessary to tűm a blind eye.

4. The independent press is restricted. We ask their colleagues in the permitted written and electronic press to break through or' by-pass the censorship taboos which surround the Transylvanian question as far as possible. Correct and detailed Information is essential.- 2 -