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Meets with Pál Csáky and the Leadership of the Hungarian Coalition Party in Pozsony
On October 12, former NY Governor George E. Pataki delivered a lecture at the Selye Janos University, a Hungarian-language institution in the town of Komarno, Slovakia. Mr. Pataki's speech, entitled "The Democratic Constitutional State in the 21st Century," was attended by 380 students and the university's faculty. Mr. Pataki was accompanied by Max Teleki, President and Zsolt Szekeres, Board member of the Hungarian American Coalition, and László Hámos, President of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation.
In his talk Pataki emphasized that people can feel truly safe only in a state where they are allowed to speak the language in which they feel the most comfortable.
The language law scares methere is no other country in the world that punishes people for using their mother tongue, added the American politician, in his lecture to university students entitled The Democratic Constitutional State in the 21st Century.
Pataki said the language law could be an effective tool for those who would want to oppress a minority. The politician pointed out that European and American human rights organizations have turned their attention to Slovakia as a result of the law and the government in Pozsony needs to be pressured in order to change it.
At the end of the lecture László Hámos, President of the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation, called university students attention to the Foundations website where people can share their experiences about the laws implementation.
In his lecture, Mr. Pataki said that the language law adopted in Slovakia violates a fundamental democratic principle - the protection of minority rights - and emphasized that people can feel truly safe only in a state where they are allowed to speak the language in which they feel most comfortable. After the lecture, the Governor answered questions from the audience. In a reply, Mr. Pataki said that the language law could be an effective tool for those who would want to oppress a minority. Mr. Pataki pointed out that European and American human rights organizations have turned their attention to Slovakia as a result of the law, and that the Slovak government in Pozsony (Bratislava) needs to be pressured to change the law.
At the end of the lecture, Mr. Hámos called the attention of the university students to the Foundation's website www.hhrf.org, where individuals can write about their experiences with the law's implementation.
In Pozsony, Mr. Pataki met with Mr. Pál Csáky, President of Hungarian Coalition Party (HCP), and with the party's leadership at its headquarters. During the discussions, Mr. Csáky briefed Mr. Pataki on the negative effects of the law, which are being felt even prior to the issuance of specific implementation regulations, expected by the end of 2009. Mr. Csáky also stated that the law's negative effects could be reversed if the Slovak Parliament would adopt the HCP's 17 point amendment, which has already been submitted to the Parliament and international organizations.
Following this meeting, Mr. Pataki held a press conference attended by Slovak and Hungarian media, which elicited articles from various US and European publications, such as The Wall Street Journal and Politics.hu.
For reference:
http://blogs.wsj.com/new-europe/2009/10/13/us-politician-pataki%E2%80%99s-cri...
http://www.politics.hu/20091012/george-pataki-denounces-language-law-during-s...
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Living in Bratislava: The Slovak Languageby MoveOneRelo22,561 views
@VivaIsrael4ever1800 aatlus brought Israel into the dialogue between us about 1 year ago for the first time. In all, Israel is mentioned 26 times by proper name. You will find that I am in a defensive position regarding Israel in those instances where I used Israel's name. Remember, one is innocent until proven guilty. Israel was used in a good way most of the time, by way of setting an example. Let's not get too sensitive for our own good.
EuroAmerican02 8 months ago
@EuroAmerican02 WHY IS YOU HAVE TO BRING iSRAEL IN TO THIS VIDEO CAN ASK WHY WHAT WAS THE REASON
VivaIsrael4ever1800 8 months ago
@VivaIsrael4ever1800 Tell me EXACTLY where and how I put down Israel. WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT???
EuroAmerican02 8 months ago
@EuroAmerican02 this video is not About israel why in too this video Israel is only 63years what Israel inv\ant to the world no Countrie in the world did why you don"t talk good About Israel always the put Down Israel comen Israel is one off the Best Countries the world go and visit and you see with you eyes
VivaIsrael4ever1800 8 months ago
Pataki for President !!!
DavidItzak 9 months ago
pataki nem jo van
hifreaks1999 2 years ago
pataki nem szep van!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hifreaks1999 2 years ago
I have to give you credit for at least admitting your bias. Here's something that would help the situation a lot: ahve the Hungarian government admit that it was wrong when it suppressed Slovak language and culture when Slovakia was part of Hungary. It wouldn't cost anything and would ameliorate the wounds of past injustice among reasonable Slovaks. Of course it won't be enough for cementhead Slovak nationalists and their Hungarian counterparts will scream treason.
aatlus 2 years ago
So when are you moving back to Hungary so the Native Americans can occupy theri ancient homelands? Read the Bible and you'll learn that the ancient homeland of the Jews is Mesopotamia--that's where Abraham came from. And the Ashkenazi are descendents of Khazar converts. Their anceint homeland is the Caucasus.
Jews have a right to live in Israel/Palestine as equals to Palesitnian Arabs.
aatlus 2 years ago
"...contributed to their water supplies"!!!!!!!
you've got it backwards Palestinian villages (and East Jerusalem lack water because it's diverted to Illegal Jewish settlements).
aatlus 2 years ago