In a December 29 interview with the Hungarian daily Magyar Hírlap, President of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) Miklós Kovács pointed out that the major goal of the Alliance is to establish a integrated, higher-level public administrative unit which incorporates the Hungarian community presently living in four different districts. Kovács also expressed deep dismay over the fact that the Kiev government continues to deny permission for a statute commemorating the settlement of Hungarians into the Carpathian Basin in the 9^th century. [Magyar Hírlap, (Budapest), Dec. 29, 1999]

In its first, December 9 session, the Hungarian-Language Education Coordination Committee adopted several proposals targeting the development of Hungarian-language education in Subcarpathia. These include: (1) the introduction of Hungarian-language report cards in Hungarian-language schools, (2) the allocation of 15 places in each department of the Uzhorod/Ungvár public university for which ethnic Hungarian students could take entrance examinations in their native language, (3) the official recognition of advanced professional training received by ethnic Hungarian teachers abroad, (4) finding an acceptable official solution to the growing shortage of minority-language text books. The Committee will seek the Ministry of Education's support for these proposals. [Népújság (Tirgu-Mures/Marosvásárhely), Dec. 10, 1999]

Although the Law on Elections does not provide for minority-language ballots, the Central Election Committee promised to print some for the upcoming elections. The move—indicated in a letter to ethnic Hungarian Parliamentary Representative Miklós Kovács—comes in response to complaints from the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) that there were no native-language ballots in the recently held presidential elections. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 4, 1999]

With the help of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz), interested entrepreneurs and farming cooperatives, 8,000 petitions for privatization of agricultural lands was collected and submitted to the appropriate agencies. Although soil in Subcarpathia is the least arable in Ukraine, 75 percent of the region's ethnic Hungarians live in villages making such agrarian reform imperative for the 200,000 strong community. [Új Szó (Bratislava/Pozsony), Dec. 4, 1999]

In a November 18 speech delivered in Parliament, Miklós Kovács, the only ethnic Hungarian deputy representing the compactly Hungarian-inhabited Berehovo/Beregszász district (No. 72), called for the political rehabilitation of tens of thousands of innocent ethnic Hungarian civilians aged 18 to 50, who were carted away by Soviet troops in November 1944. Two-thirds of the victims perished—those who remained alive were left physically and psychically scarred for life. Despite Ukraine's declared commitment to the rule of law since its 1991 independence from the former Soviet Union, it has failed to address this issue, pointed out Kovács, adding that, for example, a 1944 resolution adopted by the Mukachevo/Munkács People's Council branding Hungarians "permanent enemies" is still in effect. “This resolution was conceived in the spirit of collective guilt, and runs contrary to every human and international legal norm,” stressed Kovács, who promised to appeal to the Supreme Council for rehabilitation. [HTMH Observer (Budapest), Nov. 24, 1999]

In a November 24 detailed interview with the only Hungarian-language daily, Kárpáti Igaz Szó, Alliance of Hungarian Teachers in Subcarpathia President Ildikó Orosz said that the most pressing issue in Hungarian-language education is the growing shortage of Hungarian-language textbooks due to the total lack of state support. “Another way to destroy an educational system is for the state to withdraw sufficient support from this area,” stated Orosz. The Alliance plans to disseminate, at its own expense, photocopies of existing textbooks to minority schools. It also called for the restoration of minority-language entrance and final examinations in high schools, especially due the lack of specific teaching materials for Ukrainian-language instruction. In Uzhorod/Ungvár District, the Alliance protested the forced merger of several Hungarian-language classes when the education law allows for the establishment of minority classes with a minimum of 5 students. Uzhorod’s central department for public education, led by Omeljan Mateleská, continues to hinder the restoration of a Hungarian-language high school—a key aspiration of the Hungarian minority since 1990. This happens despite support for the measure by higher-level offices such as the county’s chief education department and other civic organizations. [Kárpáti Igaz Szó (Budapest), Nov. 24, 1999]

Initiatives to regularly issue bilingual, Ukrainian and Hungarian-language report cards, in the compactly Hungarian-inhabited Berehovo/Beregszász district’s Hungarian-language schools were encouraged by the district council, its education department headed by ethnic Hungarian István Medvigy, and public administration officials. Medvigy pointed out on November 17 that the current language law allows for bilingual certificates and official documents in compactly minority-inhabited areas. He told the Hungarian-language weekly, Bereginfo, that “so far no one has attempted to undermine the initiatives.” [HTHM Observer (Budapest), Nov. 24, 1999]

The Uzhorod/Ungvár-based periodical, Novini Zakarpattya, reported that the multi-ethnic Subcarpathia region's central education department has established a sub-division to address, and seek resolution to, the educational needs facing national minorities. Currently, Hungarian-language instruction is conducted in 100 of the 122 minority-language schools attended by over 30,000 students. According to the periodical, the greatest challenges facing minority-language schools are the instruction of Ukrainian language and literature including the shortage of minority-language books and the lack of teachers. The central education department has taken steps for the higher educational institution to train teachers instructing Ukrainian specifically for minority-language schools. The Education Ministry still has to approve the initiative. Another attempt to effectively resolve minority concerns entails the establishment in Uzhorod of an official education center to coordinate minority school activities. [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Oct. 14, 1999]

The Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) issued a statement protesting a Bill on the State Language prepared by the government's office for language policy. Published on July 13 in the country’s only Hungarian-language daily, Kárpáti Igaz Szó, the Alliance states that the bill runs contrary to the Constitution and several international documents, including the Council of Europe's European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages signed by Ukraine in May 1996. In addition, the organization cautions that the bill aims to forcibly assimilate national minorities by removing guarantees for minority-language education, and eliminating an already shrinking network of minority schools in Subcarpathia. Echoing the Slovak Minority Language Law also passed this July, the bill does not allow that meetings — including cultural and sport events — of minority organizations, internal record keeping or correspondence be conducted exclusively in the given native language. The numerous other provisions underpinning the superiority of the Ukrainian language indicate that the force behind the bill is a reaction against the country’s sizable Russian minority, numbering about 11 million. But the severe restrictions that the law would impose, for example, on imported audio, video and printed information products would primarily impact on the less populous ethnic groups. Due to the lack of domestic suppliers of cultural and informational products, the Hungarian community depends on the free flow of information from Hungary and that access would be imperiled by passage of the bill. The Alliance also believes that adoption of the bill’s many anti-minority provisions would jeopardize fundamental human rights and tarnish Ukraine's international credibility. [Kárpáti Igaz Szó (Uzhorod/Ungvár), Jul. 13, 1999]

The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly postponed its decision on suspending Ukraine’s membership until January 2000 [see report of January 26]. Failure to comply with commitments made at the time of accession in November 1995, namely the implementation of substantial democratic reforms and abolishing the death penalty, account for the threatened action. The reprieve came in response to recent efforts by Ukraine to improve its judicial and political systems. [Radio Free Europe (Prague), June 24, 1999]

At a press conference in Budapest, ethnic Hungarian Parliamentary Deputy Miklós Kovács exhorted the difficulties Hungarian-language education faces in Subcarpathia due to several anti-minority measures: (1) delay of granting permission for Hungarian-language final examinations in high schools and native-language entrance examinations to universities; (2) after 53 years of continuous operation, rendering insolvent the Hungarian Textbook Publisher in Uzhorod/Ungvár by eliminating Education Ministry financing over a year ago; (3) appointment of centrally-controlled advisory boards to supervise Hungarian-language schools and curtail their cultural autonomy; (4) omitting ethnic Hungarian leaders from the drafting process of a language bill reputed to restrict native-language use and impose fines for breaches. Kovács also pointed out that Parliament last week voted no to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, contrary to Council of Europe commitments, which could result in the revocation of the country’s membership. [HTMH Observer (Budapest), June 26, 1999]

Rapporteurs for the Council of Europe on Ukraine met in Kiev with Miklós Kovács, president of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) and the Member of Parliament representing the community. Kovács told the rapporteurs that due to their strong Western orientation, the Hungarians of Subcarpathia are concerned primarily with the implementation of European norms within their country as the lack of these impacts directly on the everyday life of the community. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely, Rumania), May 14, 1999]

The leadership of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) began gathering signatures on a petition requesting that the Ministry of Education guarantee by law the right of Hungarians in Ukraine to native-language final high school examinations and entrance examination to Subcarpathian institutions of higher education. As is known, the Hungarian community turns annually to the authorities to issue an "exemption" to the law thereby temporarily allowing native-language testing [see report of February 28]. [Népszava (Budapest), May 4, 1999]

A statue honoring one-time resident of the city, Béla Bartók, was dedicated in Vinogradov/Nagyszôllôs. Located in the park of the Zsigmond Perényi High School, the building — formerly the county seat, was also the place of Bartók first piano recital age 10 on May 1, 1892. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), May 4, 1999]

In Mukacsevo/Munkács, Mayor Viktor Baloga issued a decree mandating that a pre-condition for filling public office in Mukacsevo District will be passing a Ukrainian language proficiency exam. The local decree, unprecedented until now, compels state employees — administrators, teachers, cultural workers, police — to take an official exam on the state language, impacting on the 15,000 ethnic Hungarian and 12,000 ethnic Russians in the city. Another aspect of the decree —requiring exclusive use of Ukrainian in all signs and advertisements as well as events — has put, for example, the Ferenc Rákoczi II. Circle led by Mrs. László Vaszócsik into a difficult situation. The group has been at the forefront of maintaining Hungarian-language culture in the city. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Apr.7, 1999]

In discussions with the leadership of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz), Hungarian Minister of Culture József Hámori promised financial support for expanding computerization in, and the reserves of, public and specialized libraries, as well as those of Hungarian-language elementary and secondary schools. Hámori also agreed to raise the issue of cultural support with his Ukrainian counterpart in an upcoming meeting, including support for the Hungarian-language theater in Bereghevo/Beregszász and establishment of at least a semi-professional Hungarian folk ensemble. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Mar. 30, 1999]

Viktor Baloga, mayor of Subcarpathia’s second largest and multi-ethnic city Mukacsevo/Munkács, decreed exclusive use of Ukrainian in all signs and advertisements as well as events. [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Mar. 8, 1999]

21 ethnic Hungarian and 2 ethnic German localities formed the Society of Subcarpathian Border Self-Governments, electing County Council Vice Chairman Ernô Huszár president of the group. [See report of February 11.] Efforts to better propagate the special economic status that was granted to the region in January [see report of January 11] were discussed — while many companies have made inquiries, they are yet to invest in the region. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Mar. 2, 1999]

The 22,000 member-strong Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz) celebrated its 10th anniversary. Miklós Kovács was reelected president of the KMKSz at the organization's general convention. In addition, convention participants wrote a letter addressed to Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, requesting that graduates from Hungarian-language high schools be allowed to take all college examinations in Hungarian. The letter also called for the right to take a final high school examinations in Hungarian language and literature. Last year, a special ruling of the Ministry of Education authorized these measures, a right the Hungarian minority would like guaranteed in the education law. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Mar. 2, 1999]

Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma met with leaders of eleven national minorities for the second time under his presidency. Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in the Ukraine President Mihály Tóth, representing the Hungarian community, told reporters that the meeting addressed several still unresolved issues for minorities, such as, legislation brought in the past three years violates minority-language use and attempts to curtail official use of native languages, conditions for the instruction of Ukrainian in minority schools are not guaranteed, and uncertainty regarding the future of the minority educational network continues. [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Feb. 26, 1999]

More than twenty Hungarian-inhabited villages plan to establish the Alliance of Hungarian Self-Governments in Subcarpathia this month. Plans to form the alliance have been in the making for one-and-a-half years. Representatives will convene in Csop/Csap at the end of February to make their alliance a legal entity. [Népújság (Tirgu Mures/Marosvásárhely), Feb. 11, 1999]

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will undoubtedly decide not to endorse the Ukrainian delegation's participation in the Assembly, announced Ukrainian Foreign Minister Udovenko. Already in November 1997 the Legal Committee of the Council brought its first sanction against the country for not complying with its November 1995 commitment to immediately cease implementation of the death penalty. Since that time, more than 180 executions have been carried out. The Council of Europe is waiting for an official announcement by either the country's President or its Parliament's president that all executions have stopped. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Jan. 26, 1999]

In light of the upcoming local elections, the Bereg Region Hungarian Cultural Federation has nominated Gábor Kincs for the post of president of the Bereghovo/Beregszász City Council and has decided to support the candidacy of Mihály Tóth for Parliamentary representative of Hungarians in Subcarpathia. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Jan. 22, 1998]

In its report published in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe decided that it may suspend Ukraine’s membership for not complying with several commitments made when it joined the organization in 1995. [See report of November 18, 1998.] The report criticizes Ukraine for failing to terminate capital punishment, torturing convicted criminals and restricting the freedom of the press. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council will examine the report on January 27 and may decide to deprive the Ukrainian delegation of its right to participate. [HTMH Observer (Budapest), Jan. 27, 1999]

During a two-day visit to Subcarpathia — home of the 200,000-strong ethnic Hungarian community in western Ukraine — Hungarian Political State Secretary Zsolt Németh continued talks with Serhij Ustic, Chairman of the County Public Administration Office, over efforts made by the Ukrainian authorities to help repair damage from heavy flooding last November. Native-language education for the Hungarian minority and enhanced economic cooperation fostered by a recent presidential decree granting special economic status for the region, was also discussed [see report of December 8, 1998.] Ustic assured the Hungarian official that a budget for the recently-established Department for Hungarian-language education is being determined with the involvement of the Alliance of Hungarian Teachers in Subcarpathia. The department would help allocate monies for the functioning of Hungarian-language schools in Subcarpathia. [HTMH Observer (Budapest) Jan. 27, 1999]

President of the Cultural Association of Hungarians in Subcarpathia (KMKSz), Miklós Kovács, is running for the parliamentary seat from the Bereghovo/Beregszász district in next year's election. Even with 51.4 percent of all the voters in this district being ethnic Hungarian — as opposed to 80 percent three years ago — Kovács's candidacy is not assured as the current deputy, Mihály Tóth, is also appealing to voters for parliamentary representation. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 9, 1998]

In his visit to Uzshorod/Ungvár, President Leonid Kuchma signed a degree, granting special economic status to Subcarpathia, the western part of the country with a population of 1.3 million that was heavily hit by flooding last month. The decree, aimed at the fast recovery of the region, offers tax breaks and provides long-term incentives for investment in the region. The special economic status includes cities such as Uzshorod, Mukacsevo/Munkács, Huszt and the county's districts. Kucsma pledged to include the three flood-stricken districts bordering Hungary: Uzshorod, Berehovo/Beregszász and Vinohragyiv/Nagyszôllôs in the final form of the decree in response to objections by ethnic Hungarian representatives in the county’s council over their omission. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 9, 1998]

In the Berehovo/Beregszász committee meeting of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia, president and parliamentary deputy Mikós Kovács pointed out that in the flood-stricken area of Ukraine the influx of significant domestic and foreign — primarily Hungarian — aid is sufficient only to restore the most serious damages, while a long-term program is needed for recovery. Unofficial sources estimate the damage at $100 million. Kovács called for an advisory board consisting of local clerical, social and government members to channel foreign aid into the rebuilding of homes. The committee also adopted a resolution, voicing concern over planned amendments to the minority law, which seek to remove articles guaranteeing collective minority rights, among others, the right to establish independent native-language educational institutions. The resolution calls for a widespread debate on the issue, pointing out that the curtailment of minority rights runs contrary to several international agreement ratified by Ukraine, generate social tensions and tarnish the country’s international image. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 9, 1998]

Children who were prevented from going to school during the extensive flooding that struck Ukraine three weeks ago will receive report cards in January, said Antal Szuromi Hungarian Consul in Uzshorod/Ungvár. The flood also destroyed many communities with large ethnic Hungarian population. The county’s public administration office dismissed earlier reports that children who are unable to attend schools in December cannot receive report cards and have to repeat the term. Several thousands of children have been removed from their homes in Ukraine due to the vast damage caused by the flooding with many of them seeking shelter in Hungary. [Magyar Hírlap (Budapest), Dec. 4, 1998]

In a letter to the Ukrainian leadership, mayors of three flood-stricken settlements, Uszty-Csorna/Királymezô, Lopuhovo/Brusztura and Ruszka Mokra/ Oroszmokra, called for objective information on measures taken by state, county and district officials tackling the recent natural disaster. The letter voiced disagreement over reports published by newspapers, which criticized the local authorities for failing to act coherently and efficiently in rescue operations. The mayors wrote that the local population received moral and financial support from the first day of the flood - telephone and electric wires were quickly restored and the medical treatment and the transport of food relief parcels were also well organized. The population of the three settlements entrusted their mayors to express gratitude to President Leonyid Kucsma for his understanding of the current plight and his active help. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Dec. 2, 1998]

The Council of Europe warned Ukraine that if it continues to fail to comply with obligations such as the endorsement of a new civil and penal code, adoption of a law on the freedom of speech, establishment of an independent judiciary and expanding the sphere of authority of local self governments, the country will be deprived of its right to participate in the 1999 Parliamentary Assembly. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 18, 1998]

Heated debates continues over the plan to regulate national education as it primarily affects the network of 100 or so minority-language schools and other educational facilities that the Hungarian and Rumanian communities maintain. A recently published article in Osztiva, the official organ of the Ukrainian Educational Ministry, concurred that the objections raised by minorities are for the most part well-founded. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 12, 1998]

In a press conference in Eisenstadt/Kismarton, the Austrian opposition Green Party representative and member of the Council of Europe, Terezija Stoisits, voiced indignation over the Austrian authority’s resistance to post bilingual signs in the multi-ethnic communities of the Burgenland region, the eastern part of Austria with large minority populations. Stoisits called on the Parliament and the government to fully comply with their obligations as mandated by the constitution and international agreements ratified by Austria. [Napi Magyarország (Budapest) Nov. 4, 1998]

In a statement, President Leonyid Kucsma deplored recent ethnic and religious-based hate crimes, for example, the defacing by Ukrainian ultra-nationalists of Polish graves in a military cemetery in Lvov, and attempts by extremists to burn down a synagogue in East Harkov and a Russian community house in Lvov/Lemberg. The President called on the nation to denounce these disgraceful, extreme actions. [HTMH Observer (Budapest) Oct. 27, 1998]

Ethnic Hungarian parliamentary representative Miklós Kovács met with Ukrainian President Leonyid Kucsma and appealed for revising the new educational bill which, if approved, would restrict native-language education for minorities. Kovács pointed out that ethnic Hungarians living in Subcarpathia are prepared for societal integration but would refuse any attempt to assimilate. [HTMH Observer (Budapest) Oct. 20, 1998]

During an official visit to Kiev, President Leonyid Kucsma and Foreign Minister Boris Taraszjuk ensured Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi that opportunities for secondary-level Hungarian-language education will not diminish for the 170,000-strong Hungarian community in Subcarpathia. Martonyi stressed that while the legal framework in Ukraine grants broad minority rights, their implementation needs to be improved, and proposed the establishment of an independent Hungarian-language school district for Subcarpathia's almost100 Hungarian-language schools. [News Mirror — DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Oct. 13, 1998]

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met with the president of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia, Miklós Kovács, in Budapest. [Magyar Nemzet (Budapest), Sep. 25, 1998]

The Subcarpathian Provincial State Administration has established a Lingual-Political Committee to strengthen the position of Ukrainian in all spheres as the state language and to help minorities preserve their native languages in the region. While to committee is under the direction of the state administration, representatives from minority organizations and relevant university professors will also be a part of this consultative-advisory body. [Romániai Magyar Szó (Bucharest), Sep. 24, 1998]

The Beregovo/Beregszász District Council heard the Ukrainian Parliament's elected ethnic Hungarian representative Miklós Kovács' report on his recent legislative activities . Mr. Kovács, who is also president of the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians in Subcarpathia, is president of the parliamentary Human Rights Committee's National Minority Subcommittee. As such, he has submitted amendments to the education bill, augmenting it with specific proposals on native-language education for minorities. Mr. Kovács also told the Hungarian Telegraph Agency (MTI) reporter that Hungarians of Subcarpathia have not relinquished their desire for autonomy, "the establishment of which they envision solely within a legal framework." He also added that the Hungarian community has great expectations of the upcoming summit between Ukrainian President Leonyid Kucsma and Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán to resolve outstanding minority concerns. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Sep. 2, 1998]

Heated debate continues over a plan to regulate the education system affecting the Hungarian and Rumanian communities, consisting of approximately 100 minority-language schools and other facilities. A recently published article in Osztiva, the official organ of the Ukrainian Educational Ministry, concurred that the objections raised by minorities are for the most part well-founded. [News Mirror—DAHR MTI Press Service (Bucharest), Nov. 12, 1997]

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Ukraine held its annual convention today. [MTI (Budapest), May 9, 1997]

An interim agreement was reached during the Ukrainian-Hungarian Joint Committee meeting in Budapest, allowing graduates of Hungarian-language high schools in Ukraine to take university entrance examinations in their native language. [Medical and law school applicants are not covered.] Ukrainian officials said that “drafting of the necessary law” is in progress. [Népszabadság (Budapest), April 24, 1997]

According to the latest Education Ministry decree, final examinations in the Ukrainian language will be mandatory in the ninth grade, while such exams in the native language remain optional. The reverse was the case until now — reported the Cultural Alliance of Hungarians from Sub-Carpathia. [Új Magyarország (Budapest), April 12, 1997]