Concerns over minority rights in Ukraine

A conservative columnist thinks that once the war is over, Hungarian minorities in Ukraine should be granted territorial autonomy, and dismisses allegations that Hungary wants to re-annex Transcarpathia.

On Mandiner, Csaba B. Almási dismisses as fantasies allegations by Russian and American sources that Hungary would like to use the Ukraine war to take back Ukrainian territories that used belonged to the historical Hungarian kingdom.

In Magyar Nemzet, László Szőcs ponders the chances of achieving territorial autonomy for ethnic Hungarians in Transcarpathia. The pro-government commentator points out that Ukraine has long been in violation of minority rights by restricting minority language education. Szőcs believes that once the war is over, or at least a ceasefire is negotiated, minority rights protection should be a top priority in the reconstruction of Ukraine. The protection of minority rights is an important prerequisite of democracy and security, he suggests. He proposes that Hungary and Romania should jointly promote the idea of territorial autonomy for minorities in Ukraine. Szőcs underscores that Hungary has always respected Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and adds that the government has consistently dismissed absurd allegations that Hungary wants to take back Transcarpathia.

Tags: autonomy, minorities, Transcarpathia, Ukraine