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Ethnic Hungarians Protesting Against Being Called Threat to Slovakia
Monday 31 May 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Samorin, May 31 (TASR) - A non-governmental organisation called the Roundtable of Ethnic Hungarians Living In Slovakia (OSMS) protests against having a group of citizens who contribute to the intellectual and material wealth of the state labelled as "a serious security risk" to Slovakia by the Slovak Government.
"We view this as a display of state disloyalty towards its own citizens," OSMS spokesman and Forum of Institute for Minorities Study (FIPVM) programme director Kalman Petocz told a press conference on Monday in Bratislava.
In retaliation to the Hungarian law on dual citizenship, the Slovak Parliament passed an amendment to the Slovak State Citizenship Act on May 26. "This piece of legislation allows people who have permanent residence, birthplace and property in Slovakia to be stripped of their citizenship against their will (if they decide to apply for Hungarian dual citizenship)," pointed out Petocz, adding that the amendment is unconstitutional and violates the rights of Slovak citizens.
On the other hand, Petocz claimed that he appreciates having Slovak President Ivan Gasparovic address the ethnic-Hungarian community of Slovakia directly in his televised speech. "We view his speech on Slovak Television as a symbolic gesture," said Petocz, adding that the President should have done so earlier and his words still need to be followed up by actions.
First and foremost, Petocz said, state officials need to be engaged in a constructive dialogue with OSMS, Csemadok (Cultural Organisation of Hungarians in Slovakia) and representatives of other minorities. "We stand ready to discuss our proposals with any future government," he emphasised.
President Gasparovic signed the amendment into effect on Monday, prompting OSMS to file a motion before the Constitutional Court to determine whether or not the aforementioned legislation is in accordance with the Constitution.
On June 8, FIPVM is organising a Parade of Tolerance in Bratislava. "The aim is to express the desire of participants to have a normal tolerant society, where mutual understanding and respect prevails," said Petocz.
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