9/15/2016 – AHF thanks US Ambassador for his “moral and political courage in being photographed with the Szekler flag… It is unacceptable for Romania to stifle measures by the Hungarian minority, such as using the Szekler flag, to preserve their unique culture in their ancient homeland and to overcome the effects of discrimination, persecution, and in some instances violence they have faced.” The letter appears in full below or available for [download]
September 15, 2016
The Honorable Hans G. Klemm
United States Ambassador
4 – 6, Dr. Liviu Librescu
District 1 Bucharest
05118 Romania
Re: Szekler Flag and Minority Rights
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
We write to congratulate you for your moral and political courage in being photographed with the Szekler flag.
Founded over 100 years ago, the American Hungarian Federation has for decades promoted human and minority rights of Hungarians living in the countries neighboring Hungary, including Romania. See, [AHF issues statement on Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe]. The use of the Szekler flag by the members of the Hungarian community in Romania is merely an expression of a belief in a better future and an exercise in what we Americans cherish and deem to be non-provocative and protected freedom of speech. Nevertheless display of that flag is virtually treated as a criminal act by the Romanian authorities.*
It is unacceptable for Romania to stifle measures by the Hungarian minority, such as using the Szekler flag, to preserve their unique culture in their ancient homeland and to overcome the effects of discrimination, persecution, and in some instances violence they have faced. Far more tolerance and adherence to Western values are needed. For instance, Romania should be strongly encouraged at long last to return communal properties, e.g., churches, that were confiscated by the Communists, to its Hungarian minority.
Without further hesitation, Romania should also grant the Hungarian minority its legitimate demand for autonomy to enable members of that minority to preserve their culture. Autonomy is a democratic mechanism that is successfully used in Europe. It is a form of internal self-determination that leaves borders intact, thus also promoting democracy, stability and good neighborly relations. See,“Autonomy: The Path to Democracy and Stability in Romania,” Foreign Policy Review
Again, we appreciate your sensitivity and attention to these important matters.
Sincerely,
Frank Koszorus, Jr., Chairman
Related
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9/30/2016 – Abszurd vádak a székely zászlót felvállaló amerikai nagykövet ellen: Míg az eseményt hevesen támadták Romániában, addig a magyar kisebbségi jogokért harcolók dicsérték. Közéjük tartozott az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség, amely levélben köszönte meg a nagykövet morális és politikai bátorságát. [tovább]
9/29/2016 – The “Hungarian Free Press” attacked AHF for supporting a senior American diplomat who had the wisdom and courage to pose with the Szekely flag. While it is our general policy not to respond to such attacks, we make an exception when appropriate. AHF later thanked the publication for the resulting dialogue. [read more]
10/25/2016 – AHF sends follow up to US Ambassador to Rumania for praising Rumania’s “model democracy.” “Considering the irrefutable record of discrimination, intolerance, and anti-democratic attitudes, practices and policies by Romanian authorities, not to mention your experience relative to the Szekely flag, we are puzzled… by your statement last week praising Romania for being a model of democracy and observing the rights of minorities. [read more]
“Unfortunately we must continue to remember Trianon, not merely as a historical event — “the greatest catastrophe to have befallen Hungary since the battle of Mohacs in 1526,” as noted by Sir Bryan Cartledge — but as a current problem that needs to be judiciously addressed. What is the current problem ninety-one years after the Treaty was imposed upon Hungary? It is the discrimination, intolerance, and, in some cases, hatred directed toward the Hungarian minorities living in the Successor States. Steps must be taken to ensure that Western values, democratic principles and international norms and practices relating to national minorities will finally prevail in Central and Eastern Europe, thereby at long last relegating Trianon to the history books.” – Frank Koszorus, Jr., AHF President
- Why so many Hungarians across the border?
- AHF Statements on Trianon
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Today: A Quarterly Report
6/20/2014 – With the conflict in Ukraine and ethnic tensions once again on the rise, AHF republishes prophetic 1996 essay from the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs: “Group Rights Defuse Tensions,” written by Csaba Zoltani and AHF President Frank Koszorus. “Moreover, the strong U.S. interest in a stable and peaceful Europe is contingent upon the resolution of minority disputes and the elimination of tensions that arise from such disputes. When European minority issues were ignored or improperly addressed in this century, the United States was called upon to intervene in two world wars.” [download the essay]
6/17/2014 – AHF Book Review: “Transylvania Today: Diversity at Risk,” edited by Csaba Zoltani. Written by noted experts, describes the issues faced by minorities in Transylvania in their effort to retain their identity in an adverse environment. The essays of the book capture some of the fault lines in Transylvania, created by the incorporation of a territory with western traditions into one of Byzantine culture. Minorities, according to the official census, constitute nearly one-quarter of the population of Romania. Contributors include Amb. Geza Jeszenszky, Prof. Andrew Ludanyi, Tilhamer Czika, Viktor Segesvary, and Andreas Bereznay. [read more]