Hungarian Organisations to
Petition EP
for Slovakia's Compensation
Brussels, April 19 (TASR-SLOVAKIA)- A group of Hungarian
organisations are set to submit a petition next Tuesday to the members of the European
Parliament condemning a resolution passed last year by Slovakia's parliament that
upheld the inviolability of the WW2 Benes Decrees.
A total of 147 organisations and associations have
so far signed the petition posted on the website
www.vilagmagyarsag.com
saying that the Slovak Parliament's decision is incompatible with the concept of
an united Europe in the 21st century and contravenes human rights.
"With respect to the persecution of the citizens
of Hungarian and German nationality in the former Czechoslovakia in 1945-1948 and
the related, still applicable legislation," organisers are urging the European legislature
to put on its schedule the issue of Benes Decrees and other laws and decisions adopted
by the Slovak Parliament and Slovak or Czechoslovak bodies grossly discriminating
against Hungarian and German ethnic minorities.
The petition demands that the EP review the decisions
of the Slovak authorities for their compliance with European laws and call on Slovakia
to abolish the relevant legislation including a law preventing compensation for
illegal acts committed before February 25, 1948.
The document also calls for an apology to Hungarians
living in Slovakia for the inequity resulting from the current or invalid laws and
for the offences committed in relation to Slovakia or Czechoslovakia. Apart from
apology, Slovakia is expected to pay a fair compensation to Hungarians and Germans
living in Slovakia for the confiscation of property and mental suffering.
"In the event of an inadequate Slovak response or
were it to be in conflict with collective human rights, we demand that the European
Parliament initiate with the EU Council commencement of proceedings for the violation
of Maastricht Treaty and finally the suspension of Slovakia's membership rights
in the European Union," reads the petition.
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