The European Union condemns the violations of minorities in Ukraine

At the last meeting of the European Parliament’s Intergroup on Traditional and Linguistic Minorities, the situation of the Hungarian minority in Ukraine was discussed. The participating MEPs were shocked to receive reports of further legal restrictions and atrocities happening against Hungarians in Transcarpathia. In connection with the meeting, the participating MEPs wrote to Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, expressing their concerns. The reply to the letter shows that the European Commission is monitoring the situation and actively speaking out in EU-Ukraine bilateral relations for the protection of Hungarians in Transcarpathia.

On the March 25th meeting, the Minority Working Group discussed the current situation of Transcarpathian Hungarians, their restrictions of rights, the atrocities and negative media propaganda happening against them and their representatives. As well as the political pressure, threats and intimidation they have to receive from far-right nationalists, including the threatening of a Member of the European Parliament. At the initiative of the Co-Chair of the Working Group, several Members sent a letter to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, to draw his attention to the worrying situation and holding the High Representative accountable for the steps he intends to take to protect the Hungarians in Transcarpathia.

In his official response, Josep Borrell confirmed that the EU is closely monitoring developments in Ukraine, including the situation of minorities. The respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, is a fundamental EU value. The rights already exercised by national minorities are protected by the UN and the Council of Europe’s conventions and related protocols, and need to be ensured. He also expressed the European Union’s consistent emphasis on this message in its various bilateral relations with Ukraine, and will continue to do so, including by encouraging Ukraine to prepare without delay the Law on Minorities, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.

In his letter, the High Representative addressed the EU-Ukraine Association Council’s meeting on 11th February, during which Ukraine reaffirmed its continued commitment to the protection of human rights, including the rights of national minorities. In addition, Ukraine is committed to any exchange of information and measures that could contribute to allaying concerns. The Vice-President of the European Commission has found it unacceptable that the personal data of thousands of people have been published on the Myrotvorets website without their consent. He indicated that this issue has already been raised several times with Ukrainian counterparts and will continue to urge the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the removal of this content.

In his letter, Josep Borrell expressed his confidence that Hungary and Ukraine would resolve the existing bilateral differences in a constructive manner, based on common values and principles.

Responding to the content of the letter, MEP Andrea Bocskor said: “It is hopeful that the European Commission has reaffirmed its position on minority rights, including Hungarians in Transcarpathia, and condemns the extremist movements in Ukraine, as it has done with my listing on the Myrotvorets website. But unfortunately there has been no substantive change. I hope that the promises made by the Ukrainian authorities will soon be followed, and in line with the expectations of the EU and the Venice Commission, a law on National Minorities will be drafted, which, in consultation with minority organizations, will not be a step backwards. Furthermore, I hope that they will stop vying and criminalizing Hungarians in Transcarpathia, and that they can live in their homeland as citizens with equal rights”.

MEP Kinga Gál, Fidesz Co-Chair of the Minority Working Group, welcomed the fact that the High Representative’s response was finally different from the nonsensical, evasive response of the European Commission. “The Commission has now finally acknowledged that it is aware of the violations affecting Hungarians in Transcarpathia, as well as the provisions and draft laws that violate the rights of national minorities in Ukraine. In his response, the High Representative reaffirmed that he will consistently call for the standards and guarantees required by the UN and the Council of Europe in EU-Ukraine relations and negotiations. I hope this will be the case and they will not become empty promises. We will do our utmost to keep the worrying situation of the Hungarians in Transcarpathia on the agenda and to provide continuous information on the still worrying developments of the region – thus putting pressure on the Ukrainian authorities,” MEP Kinga Gál added.