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http://www.euranet.eu/eng/Today/News...k-language-lawHungary attacks Slovak language law
04.08.2009
Slovak officials will no longer be using special Hungarian keyboards
Slovak officials will no longer be using special Hungarian keyboards
Hungary has launched a diplomatic offensive against Slovakia's new State Language Act, which it claims discriminates against the Hungarian-speaking minority in the neighbouring state.
The Hungarian Foreign Ministry will appeal to the United Nations and the Council of Europe over the Slovakian law, which states that public servants must use only the Slovak language or risk of a 5,000 euro fine. Meanwhile, a delegation of Hungarian MPs plans to visit key European cities to draw attention to the language law and its possible effects on the Hungarian minority in Slovakia, who make up 10 percent of the country’s population.
Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom has accused Slovakia of a "forced attempt at assimilation" and accused it of breaking EU human rights laws.
Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak denied claims the law was discriminatory and complained that it had been the subject of a “blatantly misleading campaign" in the international media.
The controversial law was passed in June this year and will come into force this September.
Typically Slovak. Their aim is to erase the millennarian Hungarian history of today's southern "Slovakia", this being only one of the steps in that direction. Slovaks in their efforts to steal Hungraian culture go as far as to appropriate some of the Hungarian historical figures for themselves. Thus Ferenc II. Rákóczi, the Haungarian freedom fighter form the beginning of 18th century, becomes "František Rakoci" in some sick chauvinistic heads.
Complaining to the international organizations and to the UN is not the best way to resolve such issues though. It should be dealt with in mutual talks or negotiatioans between states, with pressure employed if necessary. And Hungarians should self-organize better to preserve their endangered identity.
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