EU intervention needed to protect Hungarians in Transcarpathia

Press Release by MEP Andrea Bocskor

In a letter sent to Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, EP President David Sassoli, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, EPP President Joseph Daul and other MEPs and minority rights groups, MEP Andrea Bocskor called attention to the legal irregularities that took place in the recent parliamentary elections in Ukraine.

In her letter, the Fidesz representative provided a precise account of the mistreatment and official abuses directed at ethnic Hungarian politicians of the Transcarpathia region during the campaign for the snap parliamentary elections. Andrea Bocskor drew attention to an incident in which Ukraine’s Central Election Committee registered a candidate under the same name as László Brenzovics, the candidate of The Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Transcarpathia (KMKSZ), in a ploy to deceive the voters. The MEP also mentioned the provocative and deceptive flyers and text messages circulated during the official campaign silence period. In addition, evidence shows that groups engaged in vote-buying, particularly among voters who live in disadvantaged areas.

“The snap parliamentary elections were organized in a short time period, which is positive,” said Andrea Bocskor. “However, the rejection of the proposal to establish a voting district covering the area where ethnic Hungarians are in the majority, the abuses carried out by official bodies, and the establishment of conditions that discriminate against national minorities have a negative impact on democracy, and as such, on human, civic and ethnic minority rights. The MEP asked the EU leaders to pay closer attention to the violations of minority rights taking place regularly in Ukraine. Positive changes can only begin by establishing social and legal equality and respect for the rule of law.