2013-03-14

On March 11th, the first day of this month’s EP plenary session in Strasbourg DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor spoke about the shortcomings of Romania’s minority policy, and explained to his fellow MEPs that there are vast differences between what is in the laws and the everyday reality. 

The MEP expressed his view that it is the example of the autonomy models implemented in the funding states that should be followed, and expressed his disappointment over the fact that the right to use one’s mother tongue, guaranteed by Romanian laws is much too often grossly violated. As an example Sógor mentioned the case of the two DAHR mayors who were fined by the Romanian authorities for abiding the law (they required a good command of the Hungarian language).

 DAHR MEP Sógor’s speech can be read below:

 “Lately we could hear many Romanian politicians saying that our country has a well developed minority policy, and that Romania cannot be held accountable for not guaranteeing the rights of its national minorities. Allow me to contradict the government’s propaganda on this issue. There has been progress in the last twenty years in this field, but the gap between the normative legislation and reality is vast.

Thanks to DAHR’s persistent work, among other things, the right to use one’s mother tongue is guaranteed by law in Romania. This, however, fails to materialize when communicating with public administration institutions. Some of our mayors were fined for trying to implement this law, when they requested a good command of the Hungarian language.”

In the western parts of Europe, the demands of national minorities were settled by regional autonomy systems, this is an example new member states should follow. Then, perhaps, we could also report on a proper national minority policy. ”
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Tuesday, 12th of March DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor participated at a discussion initiated by the question verbally addressed to the European Commission by French socialist MEP Pervenche Berès: The impact of restrictions on the quality of life of people living with disabilities. 

The subject was brought to the agenda by the Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) Committee of the European Parliament because, due to the current multiple crisis, the quality of life of those living with disabilities has further deteriorated while the financial aids they receive are diminishing continuously. 

DAHR MEP Sógor’s speech can be read below:

“The restrictive measures implemented in order to moderate the negative effects of the economic crisis tend to affect most severely the vulnerable and helpless social groups. I think it would be most welcome if the European Commission elaborated a set of directives and shared best practices in order to stimulate a better social engagement and an increased participation in the labor market of people living with disabilities in the member states.

I consider this to be an outstanding issue, because unfortunately I know new member states are facing beyond average problems in this filed, which makes the Commission’s guidance and immediate attention even more necessary. We should not let the claims for urgent crisis management make the needs of those living with disabilities a lesser priority.”

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Wednesday, 13th of March, MEPs debated on the subject of the own initiative report regarding EU-China relations. In his speech, DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor stressed the importance of observing minority protection laws.

The MEP’s speech can be read below:

“It seems that we speak mostly about the increasing economic and political role of China. But I think we should continue to stress the importance of minority rights related issues in order to make the leaders of this country, which is going through major social changes, aware of the infringements taking place in their country, and make sure they hear the voice of their people. I would like to point out the statements of this report regarding the autonomy of Tibet: Through enforced assimilation, cultural destruction or suppressive police and security measures the Chinese government will not be able to ensure sustainable stability or good relations between the Chinese, the Tibetan and the Uyghur people. This will only happen if it truly takes the needs of indigenous population into consideration and if it shares the responsibility for the wellbeing of the two autonomous regions.

I believe these statements are valid not only for the Uyghur and Tibet Autonomous Regions, but for several European States as well.”