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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Ministry of Diaspora worried over position of Serbs in Hungary

Belgrade, 14 September 2004

The Serbian Ministry of Diaspora expressed concerns over the position of the Serbian population in Hungary and frequent intimidations against them in the past two months. The Ministry pointed out that it is necessary for the Hungarian parliament to ratify as soon as possible the Agreement on the protection of minority rights, which Hungary and Serbia-Montenegro signed last year.

Assistant Minister of Diaspora Miodrag Joksic told a press conference that a Ministry's delegation visited Pecuj last weekend at the invitation of the Serbian Local Self-Government in Hungary. The delegation, led by Minister Vojislav Vukcevic, met with representatives of Serbian associations and organisations who briefed them on the current problems of Serbs in Hungary. They highlighted messages with anti-Serbian content in which Serbs are threatened with extermination and expulsion.

During his visit to Pecuj, Minister Vukcevic spoke with State Secretary of the Hungarian Prime Minister Vilmos Szabo. The two officials agreed that an immediate ratification of the Agreement on the protection of minority rights by the Hungarian parliament is necessary. That will give Hungary the legal instruments to solve the problems of Serbs. He added that Szabo promised that Hungarian police will take quick and efficient action to protect Serbs.

Assistant Minister of Diaspora Aleksandar Cotric said that there are approximately 10,000 Serbs in Hungary, according to unofficial data. They have the status of a national minority but are faced with numerous problems. The number of Serbs in Hungary is decreasing.

Cotric reiterated that, unlike in other neighbouring countries, Serbs in Hungary don't have representatives in the Hungarian parliament and the government. This is their primary request.

Cotric said that another problem is the cutting of funds in the Hungary's 2004 budget financing the activities of minorities. He also noted an insufficient presence of the Serb community in broadcasting, especially on the national television.

A new law on the rights of national and ethnic minorities is under preparation. The fact that this law aims to restrict rights of the Serb minority is another matter of concern. According to that law, the number of Serb local self-governments, currently standing at 34, will be drastically reduced.

Cotric voiced hope that the current problems will be resolved through dialogue and that perpetrators of recent incidents will be punished. However, Serbia will not ignore threats addressed to Serbs in Hungary and if such a situation continues, Serbia will turn to European institutions.