It Is Disgraceful That Even Civil Society Organizations Dedicated to the Protection of Human Rights Ignore Violations Committed by Ukrainian Recruitment Offices

In the European Parliament’s (EP) Subcommittee on Human Rights, Members held their annual exchange of views with representatives of the Human Rights and Democracy Network (HRDN) on the priorities of the European Union’s external action on human rights. Viktória Ferenc, MEP of Fidesz–KDNP and member of the Patriots for Europe Group, drew attention during the meeting to human rights violations committed in Ukraine: “As a Member of the European Parliament of Transcarpathian origin, I receive first-hand reports of serious human rights violations related to military mobilisation in Ukraine, particularly in Transcarpathia, developments which I follow with deep concern. One such case involved Hungarian students from Transcarpathia who were detained at a military recruitment centre, denied access to legal representation, and subjected to attempts to confiscate their mobile phones. Another case, which ended in tragedy, involved Zsolt Rebán, a Hungarian man from Transcarpathia who was sent for military training despite holding a medical exemption on account of a serious heart condition. He lost his life during the training. Regrettably, these are not isolated cases.”

“This summer, an investigation conducted by the Office of the Ukrainian Ombudsman also confirmed cases in Transcarpathia in which men holding valid deferments from military service were detained, prevented from leaving military recruitment centres, and had their deferments unlawfully revoked,” the Member of the European Parliament added.

“Human rights must be upheld consistently, irrespective of where violations occur or who our partner may be. This principle is fundamental to the credibility of the European Union’s human rights policy. In the devastating war raging in Ukraine, countless civilians and military personnel lose their lives every day. These are lives that we can no longer save. At the same time, there are lives that could have been saved, such as that of Zsolt Rebán, a Hungarian from Transcarpathia,” Viktória Ferenc said, recounting her remarks at the meeting.

The Member of the European Parliament of Transcarpathian Hungarian origin stressed: “We cannot turn a blind eye when fundamental rights are violated. Even amid the horrors of war, we must uphold and safeguard the principles upon which Europe is founded: respect for human dignity and fundamental human rights.”

The Member asked the representatives of the HRDN, which brings together civil society organisations working to protect human rights, what concrete steps the HRDN could take to help ensure, inter alia, that the documented cases are duly investigated and that the fundamental rights of Ukrainian citizens — including persons belonging to national minorities, such as the Hungarian community — are respected even in times of war. Regrettably, however, the HRDN representatives failed to provide a substantive response to the question raised.