The European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee adopted its report on Ukraine this week. Viktória Ferenc, a member of the European Parliament from the Fidesz–KDNP party originating from Transcarpathia, emphasized in this regard: “As we have come to expect, the report once again treats the progress made by the country aspiring to join the European Union in a biased manner. Instead of focusing on diplomatic solutions and establishing peace as soon as possible, it concentrates on extending the war and turns a blind eye to the violations of the rights of national minorities living in the country. It is enough to look at the tragic incidents of violence against Hungarians in Transcarpathia in recent days. It is outrageous that the European Parliament is disregards minority rights. We demand that the European Union finally take the rights of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia seriously.”

“The text drafted by left-wing liberal politicians praises Ukraine’s superficial measures in guaranteeing minority rights: it commends the establishment of the Council of Public Associations of National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine, from which the largest organization representing the interests of Hungarians in Transcarpathia was excluded. As a result, the representatives of this organization were not allowed to participate in the development of the Action Plan for the Protection of the Rights of National Minorities, adopted in May, which was also welcomed by the report. It is therefore clear that the real and free representation of minorities has not been implemented. It is unacceptable!” the MEP added.

Viktória Ferenc emphasized: “The members of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia are lawful and loyal citizens of Ukraine. They condemn Russian aggression and stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also suffer from the war that has been going on for several years. Despite this, their human and minority rights continue to be violated, as demonstrated by recent sad events, when a member of our community lost his life during forced military conscription, or when the Greek Catholic church in Palágykomoróc was set on fire and desecrated with anti-Hungarian slogans.”

“By ignoring minority rights to such an extent, left-wing members of the European Parliament are not only undermining the credibility of the European Union, but they are also jeopardizing Ukraine’s real democratization. The events of recent days demand that the European Union finally take the problems of the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia seriously,” the Member concluded.