Thanking the People Smugglers - Hungary

When people smugglers are heroes

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People smugglers are usually seen as heartless profiteers who exploit the weak. But, as this report shows, some smugglers are also regarded as saviours for many of those desperately fleeing their homeland.

55 years ago Les Murray, a well-known TV presenter, and his family were forced to escape from communism in Hungary. He needed the help of smugglers. Whether mercenaries or angels, most refugees can't flee from danger across borders without their help. "They took enormous risks to do what they did, and I believe it's my duty - not just a wish - to thank them." While many see people smugglers as taking advantage of the most vulnerable, Les says enormous risks were taken for his family. "And then the savage irony that they're the ones who get arrested. They're the ones who get stuck." Returning to his homeland, he's now determined to track them down.

January 2012

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Les
• Murray
• TV
• Presenter
• Communism
• Hungary
• People
• Smugglers
• Profiteers
• Desperation
• Journeyman
• Pictures

[woodrat2296]

Wow. Thank you. My family left Hungary in 1956,when I had just turned 5, as well.We ended up in Canada, because I got malaria in the refugee camp in Marseile while waiting for the ship to Argentina. It wasn't until 1987 that I finally returned for a 4 week visit. I visited my hometown of Miskolc and I had absolutely no problem finding our old home. I don't know how or why, but I led the entire family to the house, which was on Tecsey Ferenc utsa, right across the street from the Catholic Church.

[MsBackpackman]

@boristu154

What the hell are you talking?????? The ruskys (soviets) war our enemy. The germans was our allies. We was have own government and army who fought against the Soviets. The Germans are not forced into it voluntarily we fought against the Soviets to the bitter end. So shut the hell up.

[Holomatchi]

@boristu154 really? Do you really know what happened with 1/3 of the hungarian people during the communist era? My country can thank the sovjets for going into Norway and then leaving. Maby if the Russians had done the same in Hungary, then they would thank them... Btw the last hungarian to come home from the siberian "work" camps came back to hungary in 2001!!

[boristu154]

Idiot country they remember 56 but not 45 when the Russians rescued them. They should be thankful they are not speaking German today.

[BahoUtot]

I dunno man but living in this country is like living inside a twilight zone. everyone seem to look old

[flowewritharoma]

thanks for posting this is awesome video!

[fukwindowz]

Very good film. Heroic man, that Julius.

[nightkraawler]

@soinc16 because you harbor some weird psychosomatic feelings towards him since that day when he kept you after class:)))

[soinc16]

Why the hell does he look like my Social's teacher?

[Yesica1993]

What a remarkable story! It's frustrating to see the comments here saying these smugglers do it only for the money. Who among us has perfectly pure motives? These people put their own lives at risk to help others. Whatever their full motivation, they deserve thanks.

I appreciate Mr. Murray as well, for going through the effort and emotional pain of seeking out all of these people. Most people would not have the means, the opportunity or the courage to do that. Bravo!