We must take steps against the violations of minority rights in Ukraine

Fidesz MEP Andrea Bocskor raised her voice at the plenary session of the European Parliament regarding Ukraine’s minority policy, which is discriminatory and goes against EU values. “There has been a war in Ukraine for a year and a half. The national minorities, such as the Transcarpathian Hungarians, fight to defend the country, welcome internally displaced people, and do their work with the hope of peace as soon as possible. Despite this, their minority rights have been steadily narrowing since 2017. We must do something to solve this situation!” – the MEP emphasized. 

The MEP defending the rights of national minorities highlighted: “The EU, the Venice Commission, and several EU member states have already asked Ukraine to guarantee minority rights according to international commitments, and to restore the previous language and educational rights. This was not implemented in the Minority Law of 2022, but the draft amendment adopted in the first reading does not remedy the main problems either. A country aspiring to join the European Union cannot deprive its European minorities of the ability to operate mother-tongue schools and to live as a national community in their historical place of residence”.

“Therefore, it is outrageous that in a Transcarpathian Hungarian school, the minority director was unjustifiably replaced, and the use of Hungarian national symbols and the playing of the national anthem were prohibited at the opening ceremony of the school year. This is not European and not democratic at all! I hope you will also take action against this!” called MEP Andrea Bocskor attention to the violations.