In a vote of 71-46 with 6 abstentions, the Slovak Parliament voted for the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. Slovakia is the 15^th country to have ratified the instrument adopted by the Council of Europe in 1992, which seeks to protect minority languages in Europe. Since its introduction, 14 of the 27 signatories have ratified the Charter, a key conditions for Slovakia's EU accession. Provisions of the charter include recognition of minority languages, promotion of native-language instruction and supporting the use of minority languages in public administration. Adoption of the charter affects nine minorities in localities where their proportions exceed 20 percent and will come into effect January 1, 2002. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), June 20, 2001]

The Alliance of Hungarians in the Czech Republic and Moravia organized a commemoration in Mírov, Czech Republic, to honor the centennial of János Esterházy's birth, a key leader of the ethnic Hungarian community in wartime Czechoslovakia. Esterházy, leader of the Hungarian United Party, was the only member in the Slovak Parliament who in 1942 voted against the deportation of Jews. He was sentenced to death by the National Court in 1947, which commuted its verdict in 1948 to life prisonment after his return from the Soviet Union. Esterházy died in the Mírov prison hospital in 1957. [HTMH Observer (Budapest), June 20, 2001]

The Slovak Parliament began debate on two bills vital for local public administration reform and the territorial redistricting of the country. Even though the bills allow for the creation of 12 districts, none of the Hungarian Coalition Party's proposals aimed at creating a county with a near Hungarian majority, were adopted by the coalition partners. Furthermore, the government-member Party of the Democratic Left announced that it seeks to introduce a bill of its own, which would reinstate the 8-district system established by Meciar, aimed at preventing ethnic Hungarians from exceeding 20 percent in any district. HCP Faction Leader Gyula Bárdos said that his party will support the bill only if it complies with Slovakia's international obligations and does not break up the historic divisions of the country. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), June 2, 2001]