73 Issue | Zarb-e-Jamhoor e-Newspaper | 27 May-02 Jun, 2012

Anniversary of the death of President Ali Soilih Comoros - M a y 2 9

Ali Soilih, full name Ali Soilih Mtsashiwa, (January 7, 1937 – May 29, 1978) was a Comorian socialist revolutionary and political figure.

Biography Soilih was born in Majunga, Madagascar.

He lived much of his early life there, and was educated in Madagascar and France.

During the early 1960s he went to Comoros and worked in agriculture and economic development.

1 6 3 r d A N N IVER SA RY OF H U N GA R IA N H OM E D EFEN C E FOR C ES D AY The Hungarian embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan organized an event to commemorate there 163rd Defence day of the Hungary. The event was held in Marriot hotel, Islamabad in which Hungarian ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Istvan Darvasi presented a special Hungarian food dish "PÖRKÖLT" (meat stew which originates from Hungary) that he himself prepared. Along with this, another dish of the same food prepared by the beautiful Mrs. Katalin Müller, wife of Defence Attaché of Hungary Lieu-

tenant Colonel Zsolt Müller was also placed.

The tantalizing a roma of this special Hungarian food attracted a lot of guests at the event who approached the place where the mouth watering dishes were on display.

Earlier, the Hungarian envoy to Pakistan and his pretty wife and Defence Attache and his family welcomed the guests. A cake was cut to mark the ceremony and Hungarian national anthem was played. Later, Pakistani national anthem was also played.

The guests at the event were served sumptuous food and nicest Hungarian wine, which everyone enjoyed to the hilt.

Almost all of the noted diplomats, envoys, attaches, and Pakistan armed forces representatives were present at the event.

H. E. Istvan Darvasi and Defence Attaché Lt. Col. Zsolt Müller thanked all the guests who graced the moot and bade them farewell at end of the event.

Rise to power:

In 1970 Ali Soilih entered politics as a supporter of Said Ibrahim, leader of the Democratic Assembly of the Comoran People,Rassemblement démocratique du Peuple Comorien (RDPC), and soon developed an ideology based on hostility against France asformer colonial power. His ideas were somewhat influenced by Maoism but without renouncing his Islamic principles.

Less than a month after Comoros gained independence from France, Soilih overthrew President Said Mohamed Jaffar and became head of a revolutionary council which took over Comoros. This occurred on August 3, 1975 when Soilih, whose adherents were barely armed, hired French mercenary Bob Denard to overthrow Abdallah. Soilih officially became President of the revolutionary council in January 1976. He adopted extended powers under the terms of a new constitution, and implemented socialist economic policies. In 1977 he held a referendum on his presidency, with 56.63% of voters endorsing it.

Revolutionary program:

Soilih embarked on a revolutionary program that was mainly directed against the traditional Muslim society of the country. His vision, based on a mixture of Maoist and Islamic philosophies, was to develop the Comoros as an economically self-sufficient and ideologicallyprogressive Islamic modern state.

Condemned as wasteful and cumbersome, certain inherited customs of Comorian culture were abolished, like the 'Anda', the traditional "grand marriage", as well as traditional funerary ceremonies, criticized as being too costly.

Soilih advanced the cause of the youth by discouraging the study of history and allowing young people to take more power. In order to reach his goal the voting age was lowered to fourteen and teenagers were put in positions of responsibility. Among the most striking of his reforms were some measures designed to gain the favor of the youth, like the legalization of cannabis and promoting the removal of the veil among the women of Comoros.

Soilih created the 'Moissy', a young revolutionary militia trained by Tanzanian military advisers. The Moissy was a Comorian version ofMao Zedong's Red Guards and their methods were similar to those that had been employed by their Chinese counterpart during theCultural Revolution. Moissy units terrorised villages and specialized in violent attacks against conservative elders, formerly revered old men.

Consequences:

As a result of Soilih's confrontational policies, France, the former colonial power in the islands, terminated all its aid and technical assistance programs to Comoros. The teenage Moissy were perceived as a repressive political police, and their intimidation tactics and often random and chaotic activity caused widespread resentment among the Comorian population. Their humiliation at the hands of the Moissy and the undermining of their authority alienated the traditional leaders of the Comoros who resented the progressive elimination of age-old traditions. Growing discontent promoted by the political opposition resulted in four unsuccessful coup attempts against the Soilih regime during its two and a half-year existence.

On May 13, 1978, Soilih was finally overthrown by a fifty-member European mercenary unit, hired by exiled former leader Ahmed Abdallah in France and led by French Colonel Bob Denard. After Abdallah took over, Soilih's policies were reversed and the name of the country was changed to "Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros", Abdallah became president, and Soilih was soon assassinated by Abdallah's supporters.

Reconciliation Week Australia-May 27

National Reconciliation Week was initiated in 1996 by Reconciliation Australia to celebrate indigenous history and culture in Australia and foster reconciliation discussion and activities. It is held between 27 May and 3 June of each year, with the dates holding special historical significance: the former marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in Australia and the latter marks the anniversary of High Court of Australia judgement on the Mabo v Queensland of 1992.

Indian Arrival Day - May 30 Trinidad & Tobago

T&T

Indian Arrival Day is a holiday celebrated on May 30 in Trinidad and Tobago each year since the 1990s. It commemorates the first arrivals from the Indian subcontinent to Trinidad, on May 30, 1845, on the ship Fatel Razack (a rendering of the Arabic Fath Al Razak'Victory to Allah the Sustainer'). The many versions of the spelling for this historic ship reflects the difficulties of pronunciation and transliteration of foreign and East Indian names in Trinidad (as with the street festival of "Muhurram" or "Hosay" and "Hussay").

(Online 23 May) The Ministry of Human Resources condemns the desecration of the statue of Raoul Wallenberg in Budapest and considers it as a repulsive act!

Those who dishonour the remembrance of a historical person, who

History of the celebration

Indian Arrival Day was first celebrated in Skinner Park, San Fernando, as the East Indian Centenary on May 30, 1945 which marked the hundredth anniversary of the coming of Indians to Trinidad. The Acting Governor representing the Government of the United Kingdom attended indicating the significance of the observance. Other local dignitaries who addressed the large crowd included Timothy Roodal,George Fitzpatrick, Adrian Cola Rienzi, and Murli J. Kirpalani. Greetings were also read from Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Wavell, and Colonel Stanley, the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

After the 1945 Centenary extravaganza, however, the celebration of the anniversary of May 30 gradually declined. By the 1950s, theEast Indians who followed the Fatel Razack as immigrants to Trinidad were brought over not as free immigrants and farmers, but as "coolies". By the early seventies only the Hindu group the Divine Life Society of Chaguanas was staging an annual procession and ceremony under the name Indian Emigration Day. Indian Emigration Day, as it was called then, had been celebrated by various organizations after 1945 with limited success. By 1973 the latest was organized by the Divine Life Society, which had organized small annual processions in Chaguanas for Indian Emigration Day. By the late seventies even that small remembrance was dwindling.

In 1976 the Indian Revival and Reform Association (IRRA) was formed. They were concerned about racism against Indians and were interested in developing ideas, writing pamphlets to bring about an Indian revival and renewed pride in Indian heritage and Indian culture. The IRRA wanted to preserve the good things about Indian heritage and reform the ones that were no longer useful or relevant. The anniversary of the coming of Indians to Trinidad was one of the good things that came to the IRRA notice.

In 1977 IRRA formed committee was established to revive the memory of the coming of Indians to Trinidad on May 30, 1845 - Indian Emigration Day. The initial historic Committee comprised Anand Rameshwar Singh, Khalique Khan, Ramdath Jagessar, Rajiv Sieunarine, Azamudeen "Danny" Jang, Michael Sankar and Rajesh Harricharan. Rajnie Ramlakhan, Devanand Rameshwar Singh and Taj Hosein assisted in the first celebration. Anand Maharaj and Ashok Gobin was also instrumental in the second celebration The first active step was taken in early 1978, when they produced and distributed an onepage pamphlet with the title “Indian Emigration Day May 30, 1978”. It gave a brief account of the coming of Indians in 1845, and the importance of the event. The names of the first pioneers on the Fath-al Razack were listed, and there was a short description of the achievements of Indians in Trinidad since 1845. The Trinidad Express carried a press release, and the Trinidad Guardian printed an article by Kusha Haracksingh on the voyage of the Fath-al Razack. Mastana Bahar dedicated a show to Indian Emigration Day. San Fernando Secondary School organized a celebration.

A major turning point occurred in 1979 when the group expanded by approaching the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.

The SDMS Secretary General Satnarayan Maharaj receptive to the idea, agreed to organize a major celebration at Lakshmi Girls College on May 27, 1979. IRRA and the SDMS in discussions agreed that Indians were no longer emigrants to Trinidad, but citizens who had arrived 134 years before. At a meeting held at Khalique's residence in Ward Lane, El Socorro, the group decided that the named should be changed to reflect our presence. Azamudeen Jang suggested the name Indian Arrival Day. The 1979 celebration was a great success and included the presence of some of the original immigrants born in India. Government ministers Sham and Kamal Mohammed were there, as was the Indian High Commissioner and Presbyterian Church moderator Idris Hamid. The event was widely covered by the local media and immediately knew about the event. In fact it took just two years and an idea to revive the memory of the Arrival of Indians in Trinidad to awaken the entire Indian community in Trinidad.The group decided to meet other community leaders and encourage them to start celebrations in their district. This was widely accepted and under the guidance of the original members, Indian Arrival Day celebration was finally established in Trinidad and Tobago.

Subsequent years the Hindu Seva Sangh and other smaller groups approached the IRRA for guidance in developing in various communities throughout Trinidad. By 1980 Indian Arrival Day celebrations were held at the Spring Village, Cedros, Penal, San Juan, Chaguanas, and many other parts of the country. The National Joint Action Committee, the Catholic Church, libraries, mosques, mandirs and schools at this point joined in the observances. In a remarkably short time, Indian Arrival Day was sweeping through the country. By 1985 there were more than 10 significant Indian Arrival Day celebrations taking place. The Hindu community took the lead in the development of the celebrations.

In 1991 Members of Parliament Trevor Sudama and Raymond Pallackdarrysingh first introduced to the House of Representatives the concept that Indian Arrival Day should be made a national public holiday. This call to make Indian Arrival Day a public holiday continued to be unheeded until 1995 Prime Minister Patrick Manning declared that the 150th Anniversary would be a public holiday called Indian Arrival Day, but thereafter the holiday will be called Arrival Day. The 1995 celebrations surpassed the 1945 celebrations with the Maha Sabha having major celebrations in Trinidad.

In 1995 Prime Minister Basdeo Panday declared that 30 May would be known as Indian Arrival Day and not Arrival Day. Ironically, in the birthplace of Indian Arrival Day – Trinidad – there is a lobby to remove the word 'Indian' from the name. In the 1990s the Maha Sabha expanded the Indian Arrival Day celebrations and dubbed May as "Indian Heritage Month" which ends on Indian Arrival Day.

(Online 23 May) Hungary’s National Strategy for Social Inclusion has received an extremely positive evaluation, and the document has been recognised as faithfully reflecting the aims expressed during Hungary’s 2011 EU presidency, and the results achieved since then.

This is apparent from the statement released by the European Commission evaluating national strategies for Roma integration. The Ministry for Human Resources welcomes the Commission’s statement, and sees it as an important step towards realisation of the goals of the European strategy. The Ministry welcomes the fact that when preparing the statement, the Commission took account of Hungary’s recommendation that evaluation should occur on a country-by-country basis.

The Commission’s analysis is further proof of the fact that Hungary is at the forefront of integration, and that many of the accusations levelled at the country at home and across Europe are examples of double standards which have simply served to generate negative publicity.

Hungary’s contribution to the EU Framework Strategy was without doubt one of the Hungarian presidency’s greatest successes, and its acceptance was one of that presidency’s main priorities. The Commission’s statement recognises that poverty is not an exclusively Roma issue, but is a problem for society as a whole. While the Commission points to integrated education and school segregation as areas apparently receiving less attention in the Strategy, we must emphasise that in public consultations and through the implementation of composite programmes we are focusing on those areas which receive less attention in the text.

On the basis of the resolutions in the Framework Strategy, every Member State prepared its own national strategy; compared to previous initiatives these provide far more assistance to the disadvantaged, and pay special attention to the integration of Roma.

Clearly the Strategy and the action plan will not solve at a stroke the crisis situation facing Roma and nonRoma Hungarians in smaller settlements across the country. Nevertheless we see it as an achievement that over the last two years we have been able to call the European

Armed Forces Day - May 31 Brunei Darussalam

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces was formed on 31 May 1961.

Known as the Askar Melayu Brunei, (Brunei Malay Regiment in Malay) it was honoured with the royal title on 31 May 1965, when the word 'Diraja' (Royal in Malay) was added to the title. It was then known as Askar Melayu Diraja Brunei, (Royal Brunei Malay Regiment). Since Independence Day, 1 January 1984, the Royal Brunei Malay Regiment has been renamed as the Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (Royal Brunei Armed Forces in Malay).

Only Brunei citizens of the Malay ethnicity (Bumiputera) are allowed to enlist in the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. The Malay ethnicity comprises the Belait, Bisaya, Brunei, Dusun, Kedayan, Murut, and Tutong indigenous races as defined in the Brunei constitution. Military service is not compulsory for any segment of the population; there is no conscription.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) use a wide range of foreign equipment, with a large percentage originating from the United Kingdom, France/Europe and the United States. The Royal Brunei Armed Forces is the largest of the armed services, with a relatively small air force and navy. The Bruneian military lacks any recent combat experience but has been deployed regionally in humanitarian and peacekeeping missions. Brunei also has extensive military relations with Singapore. In 31 May 2011, Royal Brunei Armed Forces reached its golden jubilee.

ness days throughout the year organized by the WHO, including World Mental Health Day, World AIDS Day, and World Blood Donor Day, among others.

Timeline:

In 1987, the World Health organization of the WHO passed Resolution WHA40.38, calling for April 7, 1988 to be "a world no-smoking day". April 7, 1988 was the 40th anniversary of the WHO. The objective of the day was to urge tobacco users worldwide to abstain from using tobacco products for 24 hours, an action they hoped would provide assistance for those trying to quit.

In 1988, Resolution WHA42.19 was passed by the World Health Assembly, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on May 31. Since then, the WHO has supported World No Tobacco Day every year, linking each year to a different tobacco-related theme.

In 1998, the WHO established the Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI), an attempt to focus international resources and attention on the global health epidemic of tobacco. The initiative provides assistance for creating global public health policy, encourages mobilization across societies, and supports the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). The WHO FCTC is a global public health treaty adopted in 2003 by countries across the globe as an agreement to implement policies that work towards tobacco cessation.

In 2008, on the eve of the World No Tobacco Day the WHO called for a worldwide ban on all tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. The theme of that year’s day was Tobacco-free youth; therefore, this initiative was especially meant to target advertising efforts aimed at youth. According to the WHO, the tobacco industry must replace older quitting or dying smokers with younger consumers. Because of this, marketing strategies are commonly observed in places that will attract youth such as movies, the Internet, billboards, and magazines. Studies have shown that the more youth are exposed to tobacco advertising, the more likely they are to smoke.

Themes: Discussion:

Each year, the WHO selects a theme for the day in order to create a more unified global message for WNTD. This theme then becomes the central component of the WHO’s tobacco-related agenda for the following year. The WHO oversees the creation and distribution of publicity materials related to the theme, including brochures, fliers, posters, websites, and press releases. In 2008 for the theme Tobacco-free youth, Youtube videos were created as a part of the WNTD awareness campaign, and podcasts were first used in 2009.

In many of its WNTD themes and related publicity-materials, the WHO emphasizes the idea of “truth.” Theme titles such as “Tobacco kills, don’t be duped” (2000) and “Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise” (2006) indicate a WHO belief that individuals may be misled or confused about the true nature of tobacco; the rationale for the 2000 and 2008 WNTD themes identify the marketing strategies and “illusions” created by the tobacco industry as a primary source of this confusion. The WHO’s WNTD materials present an alternate understanding of the “facts” as seen from a global public health perspective. WNTD publicity materials provide an “official” interpretation of the most upto-date tobacco-related research and statistics and provide a common ground from which to formulate anti-tobacco arguments around the world.

List:

2012 Tobacco Industry Interference 2011 The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2010 Gender and tobacco with an emphasis on marketing to women 2009 Tobacco health warnings 2008 Tobacco-free youth 2007 Smoke free inside 2006 Tobacco: deadly in any form or disguise 2005 Health professionals against tobacco 2004 Tobacco and poverty, a vicious circle 2003 Tobacco free film, tobacco free fashion 2002 Tobacco free sports 2001 Second-hand smoke kills 2000 Tobacco kills, don't be duped 1999 Leave the pack behind 1998 Growing up without tobacco 1997 United for a tobacco free world 1996 Sport and art without tobacco: play it tobacco free 1995 Tobacco costs more than you think 1994 Media and tobacco: get the message across 1993 Health services: our windows to a tobacco free world 1992 Tobacco free workplaces: safer and healthier 1991 Public places and transport: better be tobacco free 1990 Childhood and youth without tobacco: growing up without tobacco 1989 Women and tobacco: the female smoker: at added risk 1988 Tobacco or Health: choose health

Event coordination:

The WHO serves as a central hub for coordinating WNTD events around the world. The WHO website provides a place for groups to register their planned WNTD events. The WHO publishes this information, by country, on its website. The registry helps foster communication and awareness between groups (locally, nationally, and globally) interested in the public health effects of tobacco, and it also serves as a way for interested individuals to quickly see if there is an event in their area.

Awards:

Since 1988 the WHO has presented one or more Awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption. World No Tobacco Day Awards are given to individuals from six different world regions (Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific), and Director-General Special Awards and Recognition Certificates are given to individuals from any region.

Global observance Groups around the world—from local clubs to city councils to national governments—are encouraged by the WHO

to organize events each year to help communities celebrate World No Tobacco Day in their own way at the local level. Past events have included letter writing campaigns to government officials and local newspapers, marches, public debates, local and national publicity campaigns, anti-tobacco activist meetings, educational programming, and public art.

In addition, many governments use WNTD as the start date for implementing new smoking bans and tobacco control efforts. For example, on May 31, 2008, a section of the Smoke Free Ontario Act came into effect banning tobacco "power walls" and displays at stores, and all hospitals and government offices in Australia will become smoke free on May 31, 2010.

The day has also been used as a springboard for discussing the current and future state of a country as it relates to tobacco. For example, in India, (which, with 120 million smokers, has one of the highest rates of tobacco consumption in the world), a special section of the Indian journal Current Science, together with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, was published in time for WNTD, 2009. This section examined tobacco use and control in India in an attempt to spread awareness and build support for stricter tobacco control.

Resistance

For some, WNTD is nothing more than a “futile attempt to curb smoking” which has little to no visible effect in places like the former USSR, India, and China. For others, WNTD is seen as a challenge to individual freedom of choice or even a culturally acceptable form of discrimination. From ignoring WNTD, to participating in protests or acts of defiance, to bookending the day with extra rounds of pro-tobacco advertisements and events, smokers, tobacco growers, and the tobacco industry have found ways to make their opinions of the day heard.

Smoker response:

There has been no sustained or widespread effort to organize counter-WNTD events on the part of smokers. There is, however, an active community of smokers’ rights advocates who see the WNTD as unfairly singling them out and challenging their rights. The WHO maintains a listing of these organizations on its website.

Some small groups have created local pro-smoking events. For example, the Oregon Commentator, an independent conservative journal of opinion published at the University of Oregon, hosted a “Great American Smoke-in” on campus as a counter to the locally more widespread Great American Smokeout: “In response to the ever-increasing vilification of smokers on campus, the Oregon Commentator presents the Great American Smoke-in as an opportunity for students to join together and enjoy the pleasures of fine tobacco products.” Similarly, “Americans for Freedom of Choice” a group in Honolulu, Hawaii organized “World Defiance Day” in response to WNTD and Hawaii’s statewide ban on smoking in restaurants.

Industry response:

Historically, the tobacco industry has supported initiatives that provide resources to help smokers quit smoking. For example, Phillip Morris USA operates a “Quit Assist” website that acts as a guide for those who choose to quit smoking. Acknowledging the fact that quitting is possible puts the power back into the hands of the individual and therefore alleviates responsibility from the tobacco companies. Additionally, advocating for cessation of smoking can allow companies to still advocate for alternative forms of tobacco, while cessation of tobacco would eliminate business completely.

World No Tobacco Days have not induced a positive vocal response from the tobacco industry. For example, a memo made publicly available through www.tobaccoarchives.com was sent out to executives of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in preparation for the third annual World No Tobacco Day, which had the theme of “Childhood and Youth Without Tobacco.” The memo includes a warning about the upcoming day, a document that explains the arguments they anticipate the WHO making, and an explanation of how the company should respond to these claims.

For example, in response to the anticipated argument that their advertisements target children, the company’s response includes arguments that claim their advertisements are targeted towards adults by using adult models, and that advertisements lack the power to influence what people will actually purchase. In Uganda, since the World No Tobacco Day is the one day that the media is obligated to publicize tobacco control issues, the British American Tobacco company uses the eve of the day to administer counter-publicity. In 2001, their strategy included events such as a visit with the President of the International Tobacco Growers Association.

Unlike the tobacco industry, some big pharmaceutical companies do publicly support WNTD. For example, Pfizer was a large sponsor for many WNTD events in the United Arab Emirates in 2008. At the time, Pfizer was preparing to release its drug Champix (Varenicline) into the Middle Eastern market. The drug was “designed to activate the nicotinic receptor to reduce both the severity of the smoker's craving and the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine.”

Grower response:

Many tobacco growers feel that anti-tobacco efforts by organizations such as the WHO jeopardize their rights. For example, the International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA) argues that poor farmers in Africa may suffer the consequences if WHO anti-tobacco movements succeed. They also argue that these efforts may gang up on manufacturers of tobacco and be an attack on the industry, therefore hurting the growers.

Republic Day Italy - Jun 02

A constitutional referendum was held in Italy on 2 June 1946, a key event ofItalian contemporary history.

Until 1946, Italy was a kingdom ruled by the House of Savoy, kings of Italy since the Risorgimento and previously rulers of Savoy. However, Benito Mussolini, enjoying the support of the reigning monarch, imposed fascism after the 28 October 1922 March on Rome, eventually engaging Italy in World War II alongside Nazi Germany. In 1946, Italy became a republicafter the results of a popular referendum.

Monarchists advanced suspicions of fraud that were never proved. A Constituent Assembly was elected at the same time.

Background The Italian referendum was intended only to deter-

mine whether the head of stateshould come from a family dynasty or be elected by popular vote. Democracywas not a new concept in Italian politics. The Kingdom of Piedmont had become a constitutional monarchy with the liberalizing reforms of King Charles Albert's famous Albertine Statute in 1848. Suffrage, initially limited to select citizens, was gradually expanded; in 1911, the government of Giovanni Giolitti introduced universal suffrage for male citizens. In this period, the provisions of the Statute were often not observed, however. Instead, the elected Chamber and the Head of Government took major roles. At the beginning of the 20th century, many observers thought that, by comparison to other countries, Italy was developing in the direction of a modern democracy. Essential issues that needed to be resolved included the relationship of the Kingdom with the Roman Catholic Church.

A crisis arose in Italian society as a result of the First World War, social inequalities, and the consequent tension between Marxist and other left-wing parties on one side and conservative liberals on the other. This crisis led to the advent of Fascism, which destroyed freedoms and civil rights and established a dictatorship, breaking the continuity of the still fragile new parliamentary tradition. The support of the ruling elite and especially the monarchy was crucial for the seizure of power by Benito Mussolini. After the March on Rome, King Victor Emmanuel IIIrefused to sign a decree to declare a state of siege, and asked Mussolini to form a new government. The King's decisions were made in accordance with the Statuto, but in opposition to the parliamentary practices of the Italian liberal state, the Fascist Party having a little number of MPs only.

After the invasion of Italy by Allied forces in 1943, Italy and its government were split in two. Mussolini's Grand Fascist Council, with the co-operation of the King, overthrew Mussolini and established a new government headed

by Marshal Pietro Badoglio.Germany, concerned with the new government's intentions to negotiate peace with the Allies, invaded and occupied Northern Italy. German paratroopers rescued Mussolini from the hilltop hotel in which he had been imprisoned by the new government. Under pressure from Adolf Hitler, Mussolini established the Italian Social Republic to administer the German-occupied territory. Mussolini declared that the monarchy had been overthrown, and began to establish the apparatus of the new state. The Italian Social Republic was headquartered in the town of Salò, and is commonly known as the Republic of Salò.

Southern Italy, meanwhile, was nominally under the control of the new legitimist government of Badoglio, continuing as the Kingdom of Italy. Rome descended into chaos as fighting erupted between Mussolini loyalists and supporters of the new government, as well as leftist opponents of fascism who emerged from hiding. The King and the Badoglio government left Rome to seek the protection of the Allied forces that occupied the South. With half of Italian territory occupied by the Germans and the rest by the Allies, the restoration of civil rights was abandoned due to the complete disorder in the country. The pre-Fascist-era parties had been disbanded, had only clandestine limited activity and had become out of touch with the population. Consequently, the relationships between these parties, and the balance of power was left to be decided at a later, quieter time. Some political forces organized the Resistance and received a strong popular consensus, but it was impossible to determine what they represented without an election, which could not be held because of the chaotic situation. Almost all the Resistance was anti-monarchist. A temporary alliance between them and the Badoglio government was created by the decision ofJoseph Stalin and Palmiro Togliatti, secretary of the Italian Communist Party, to postpone the problem of the state organisation and focus all efforts on the struggle against Hitler's puppet state in the North.

At the end of the war, Italy was a severely damaged country, with innumerable victims, a destroyed economy, and a desperate general condition. The defeat left the country deprived of the Empire it had fought for in the past two decades, and occupied by foreign soldiers. For some years after 1945, internal, politically motivated fighting continued. The emergence of political forces to replace fascism could not occur until the internal conflict ended and elections could be held. After fighting had died down, a few months were needed before attention could be given to institutional matters. The first important question regarded the royal family, blamed by many for the fascist regime, the war, and the defeat.

Republican traditions in Italy traditionally hark back to the Roman Republic and the Medieval Communes but remained largely theoretical, as in the conclusion of Machiavelli's Il Principe. The struggle for a Republican Italy independent of foreign powers had been started by Giuseppe Mazzini in the 19th century. The movement Giustizia e Libertà, which continued the traditional Mazzinian ideology, was the second important force during the resistance. It posed the question of the form of the state as a fundamental precondition to developing any further agreements with the other parties. Giustizia e Libertà joined the Comitato di Liberazione Nazionale (National Liberation Committee, CLN). The various competing political factions agreed that a popular referendum would be held to determine the future choice of Head of State.

Aftermath The new republican constitution was released together with a group of minor dispositions, the 13th of which pre-

scribed that the male descendants of the Savoy family have to stay in perpetual exile. This disposition was abolished in October 2002, and Vittorio Emanuele, Umberto II's son, entered Italy with his family in the following December, for a short formal visit to the Pope. The abolition of the exile followed an extensive political and juridical discussion that lasted several decades.

Vice-President of the European Parliament said. „Many on the left-liberal side forget that, during the reign of the socialist governments, Gordon Bajnai was responsible for the distribution and allocation of EU aid, first in the capacity of government commissioner and later as minister. Consequently, he is responsible primarily for the disastrous disbursement rates between 2007 and 2010”, the people’s party politician recalled.

The period of nine years we have at our disposal for drawing on EU funds made available between 2007 and 2013 will expire at the end of 2015.

Consequently, Hungary has less than four years left to make up for the omissions of the Gyurcsány and Bajnai governments. Based on the Orbán Government’s performance in 2010-2011, we have every chance of succeeding.

saved ten thousands of lives by risking his own in the times of danger, through statue disfigurement, act against the European tradition, culture and scale of values.

This act is particularly regrettable on the 100th anniversary of the birth of

the Swedish diplomat, which has been claimed as Wallenberg-year in Hungary by the Hungarian Government as a respect and the deepest honour towards the rescuer who became the symbol of humanity.

Union’s attention to this grave problem, and to Hungary’s experiences related to it.

Hungary continues to be ready to play an active role in the successful implementation of European measures for Roma integration, and in specialist assistance offered to the countries of the Western Balkans.

Alongside this, we are continuing implementation of our national strategy, according to the action plan contained in the document.

Background: The Commission’s statement declares the following: improvement in the situation of marginalised sectors of society is primarily the responsibility and remit of Member States; therefore measures to support the Roma are primarily the task of Member States. In its country-by-country evaluation, which will serve as a basis for further dialogue between the Commission and Member States, there are four highlighted areas (education, employment, healthcare and housing) and also structural requirements, such as cooperation between civil society and local authorities, monitoring systems and financing.

The statement gives clear direction on the basis of the EU framework system: Member States must employ targeted approaches which are consistent with shared basic principles on the social inclusion of Roma. At the same time, they must ensure the incorporation of the principles of the National Roma Integration Strategy into the National Reform Programme of the Europe 2020 Strategy. In this respect Hungary, with its National Strategy for Social Inclusion, is one of the leading Member States.

According to the Commission’s statement, the distribution of 26.5 billion Euros in EU funds to Member States for social integration has been only moderately successful, with states directing too few resources to disadvantaged Roma communities. Although this criticism was not specifically aimed at Hungary, our country seeks to ensure effective use of funds in the future through the appointment of a ministerial commissioner overseeing distribution of EU funds, working within the Ministry of Human Resources.

The Commission praises the measures that Hungary has undertaken in the area of care for pre-school children (mandatory nursery provision

from the age of three), and the socalled ‘second chance’ schools.

In the area of employment, the statement recognises Hungary’s openness towards the social economy, praising the open and legal labour market and measures taken to create jobs in the agricultural sector, and comments positively on public work schemes for the most disadvantaged.

In the section on healthcare, interventions in disadvantaged regions which also target non-Roma Hungarians are highlighted. The statement draws attention to the importance of healthcare programmes for Roma women and children, and the involvement of civil society in their implementation. In the area of housing, the evaluation mentions as an especially positive element the composite programme for improving the situation of those in segregated localities.

In addition to all this is highlights the significance of social housing.

The statement also highlights the public consultation process and acknowledges the success of co-operation with civil societies.

The evaluation mentions the partially developed monitoring and evaluation system as a weakness of Hungary’s strategy. This year specialist and public consultation will lead to a Government action plan in this area.

In addition to the above the Commission highlights two programmes initiated by Hungary which serve as a model to other Member States: The statement mentions that Hungary is seeking to provide training to Roma women ‘with the help of the European Social Fund and ease the acquisition of practical experience in social, child welfare and child protection services, and also as family support social workers, community developers, employment facilitators and healthcare mediators.’

The Commission continues thus: ‘In Hungary, to promote the social inclusion of those living in segregated environments, integrated programmes aimed at improving social, community, educational, healthcare, employment and housing conditions will be implemented using both ESF and ERDF resources. Alongside the establishment of community centres to provide hygienic and other services for the inhabitants, their housing needs will be targeted as well, including social housing.’

M inis te r ia l c a ndida t e f or IMF ne got ia t ions he a r d in P a r lia m e nt

Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, there is no similar celebration in Fiji, South Africa or Kenya, which are also home to large Indian-origin populations.

WHO and World No Tobacco Day World No Tobacco Day is one of many other world health aware-

Surján highlighted in this context, “If we disregard the advances transferred by the Commission, the Gyurcsány and Bajnai governments were only able to draw some 5.5% of the funds available between 2007 and 2013, HUF 1.4 billion, through efforts of their own. Consequently, we wasted effectively one third of the aid period without launching the necessary development programmes.

By contrast, the Orbán Government has drawn 20% of the funds allocated for a period of seven years by significantly accelerating developments.”

“We sincerely hope that the trend of improvement will continue and we shall be able to make up for the irresponsible delay caused by the previous socialist governments as a result of their mistaken development policy.

This is a testing task that requires enormous efforts”, László Surján,

H unga r y ’s r om a s t r a t e gy ge ne r a t e s a highly pos itiv e r e s pons e

Similar observances in other countries Since its establishment in Trinidad, Indian Arrival Day has given rise to similar celebrations in Jamaica, the United

World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative health effects, which currently lead to 5.4 million deaths worldwide annually.

The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. In the past twenty years, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance across the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry.

State should recognise the raising of children also in the system of taxation and that the new public procurement law should prevent the “exportation” of the taxpayers’ money from the country via offshore companies. It is also in consequence of the earlier national consultations that the Fundamental Law makes specific mention of Hungarians beyond the borders and lays down the fundamental principle that the Government should build its economic policy on the foundations of work and should not regard benefits as the solution to unemployment.

The Government likewise obtained confirmation in national consultations of the need that the State should provide help for foreign currency debtors in trouble who are faced with the threat of losing their homes and whose dramatically high debt rate was caused by the socialist governments’ mistaken and irresponsible policy.

The Ministry of HR condemns the desecration of the statue of Raoul Wallenberg in Budapest

Indian Arrival Day is a holiday celebrated on various days in the nations of the Caribbean and the island nation of Mauritius, usually commemorating the arrival of people from the Indian subcontinent to that nation as indentured labor brought by British colonial authorities and their agents.

No-Tobacco Day Worldwide - M a y 3 1

(Online 25 May) The Government will consult the public primarily on issues related to the creation of jobs as part of another series of national consultations, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on Friday in the morning show of the public service radio.

Among the possible questions of the social consultations, the Prime photo: MTI, Noémi Bruzák Minister mentioned the issue of the fair distribution million Hungarian citizens of age of burdens, in the context of which he next week. cited the banking and crisis taxes im- This is now the fourth series of conposed in 2010. „Once the period of sultations, Viktor Orbán said with refthree years expires, we must repeat- erence to the social consultations edly decide whether these were only held with respect to the new constitemporary crisis measures, or tution and social issues and the conconducted with whether the Hungarians want these sultations to continue to form part of the Hun- pensioners. garian system of burden sharing also As a result of the earlier consultain the long run. I will vote for the latter tions, important issues supported by when I fill in the questionnaire”, he the majority of society were incorpostated. The consultation sheets con- rated into Hungary’s new Fundamentaining 16 questions will, as antici- tal Law and other laws. These issues pated, be posted to the some eight enjoying society’s overwhelming support were, for instance, that the

(Online 24 May) The amount of cohesion funds disbursed to Hungary has increased significantly in the past two years. According to the European Commission’s latest data, the Orbán Government was able to draw EUR 5.1 billion from the available funds in less than two years, by 1 April 2012.

Based on the European Commission’s latest quarterly data, the Orbán Government was able to draw EUR 5.1 billion from the available funds in less than two years, by 1 April 2012. At the same time, Hungary was only able to avail itself of funds of the amount of EUR 3.8 billion between 2007 and 1 April 2010; two thirds of these, EUR 2.4 billion, were advances transferred by the European Commission, regardless of the performance of the previous governments.

Christian democrat politician László

with the help of Denard. He served as president of Comoros until 1996.

The effects of the social policies of Ali Soilih are still apparent in the Comoros, particularly on Anjouan.

Role and Organisation

National consultations will begin concerning job creation

Utilisation of EU aid is improving

Aftermath More than a decade later, in 1989, Soilih's older half-brother, Said Mohamed Djohar, overthrew Abdallah, possibly

The Role of Royal Brunei Armed Forces is to: Deter any outside powers intending to undermine • directly or indirectly in the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Brunei, and to prevent any subversive elements actual or potential operating in the State of Brunei; Undertake military operations to counter aggres • sion, terrorism or insurgency; Assist in maintenance of public order in support of • the Police and Civil Authority, if called upon Maintain good Community relations by which the Royal Brunei Armed Forces can be identified with • the Government and Civil population of Brunei.

The Royal Brunei Armed Forces is divided into four branches: Royal Brunei Land Forces • • Royal Brunei Air Force • Royal Brunei Navy • Training Institute

HUNGARY

V i k t o r O r b á n a t t h e N AT O summit (Online 22 May)The Prime Minister said at the C h i c a g o NATO summit that Hungary will offer half a million US dollars annually over a period of three years for the financing of Afghan the security Acforces. cording to the Prime Ministhe ter, Afghanistan contribution is a realistic burden for the country, representing one and a half million US dollars in total between 2015 and 2017, and is adjusted to Hungary’s economic situation.

Hungarian troops in Afghanistan have rendered an outstanding contribution and have earned wide recognition for Hungary. While the Hungarian contingent is, indeed, not the largest in Afghanistan, it performs a highly important task and will continue to do so also in the future; therefore, Hungary’s involvement is very much relied on.

According to plans, as of 2014 the internal Afghan security forces will maintain security in the country. We shall withdraw our combat troops and will leave behind units involved in training who will be able to help and reinforce the local Afghan forces. At the same time, Hungarian military forces will also remain in the Asian country which will, in this new stage, perform the duties that fall on them based on the division of labour within NATO. Hungary will also take part in the air defence of the Baltic States, the Prime Minister announced. Hungary is able to contribute to smart defence, that is, the elimination of unneces-

sary overlaps, with its air force. As part of this, Hungary will station fighter planes in the Baltic region and will regularly participate in the maintenance of air defence for the Baltic States that do not have air defence forces of their own.

You may rely on us within the boundaries of Central-European solidarity and cooperation; we shall engage in particularly close cooperation with Lithuania, the Prime Minister stressed.

According to Viktor Orbán, the schedule of the NATO summit was determined by common sense. NATO and Russia should build a long-term cooperation that provides stability and enhances trust. „Russia exists, existed and will continue to exist as a country that we have to reckon with; it is a major country with considerable power”, Orbán said, and added that we all have an interest in ensuring that that part of the world should not look upon the West as an enemy, while we also have an interest in ensuring that the West should likewise not look upon Russia with hostility.

The Americans handed over the establishment of the missile shield and it has thereby become a NATO affair;

the construction of a missile defence system and the „star wars plans” have become more acceptable also for the wider international public.

We are in in Chicago order to prove and to tell the entire world, NATO exists.

This is a defence alliance; whichever way the world may change, those who form part of this alliance may feel safe.

The Prime Minalso ister spoke about the elections in Serbia and said that as Serbian and Hungarian interests coincide in a number of respects, we sincerely hope that Hungary will find a successful tone of cooperation and common topics with Tomislav Nikolic, the winner of the presidential elections held on Sunday in Serbia. This was the Serbian people’s decision. Not only do we respect this decision of the Serbian people but we very much appreciate it as well, he stressed.

Hungary maintained excellent relations also with the former President and as the Serbian and Hungarian peoples have a great deal in common, we shall be able to find a tone that will lead to successful cooperation with the winner of the presidential elections on Sunday.

Orbán spoke about Hungary’s situation. While Hungary is struggling with many difficulties, everyone can see that it is full of vitality; everyone can see that it has always been an important country and will continue to remain one. Hungary is a reliable partner in the region, and everyone is happy to cooperate with us, he said.

National Military Representatives Visit Hungary 21 (Online May) At the invitation of Gen. Dr. Tibor the Benkő, Chief of the D e f e n c e this Staff, week the National Military Representatives serving at the NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers E u r o p e (SHAPE) are paying an official visit to H u n g a r y. year Every the National Military Representatives pay a visit to a (photo: Gábor Galovtsik) given country during which they can get to know the armed forces, history and cultural background of the host member state as well as some current issues in defence policy.

The official p r o g r a m started on Tuesday, May 15 with the briefings of the Ministry of Defence and the MoD Defence Staff and a presentation on the organization (photo: Gábor Galovtsik) and task sysExcellence for Military Medicine tem of the HDF Joint Force Com- (MILMED COE) and the 5/62 Infantry mand and the assigned military Battalion of the HDF 5th ‘Bocskai organizations.

Infantry Brigade in István’ During their stay in Hungary, the rep- Hódmezővásárhely, where they are resentatives visit the NATO Centre of introduced to the military capabilities

on static and dynamic displays. In addition, they pay a to visit Kecskemét where they receive information on the tasks of the base and the Gripen capabilities at the HDF 59th “Szentgyörgyi Dezső” Air Base; they go to see the HDF Air Command and Control Center in Veszprém as well. Their procloses gram with a visit to the HDF Pápa Air Base where are they briefed on the missions of the Airlift Heavy Wing (HAW). their During professional program, the representatives get to know the history and the present status of the Hungarian Defence Forces and get a picture of the planned future developments of the defence portfolio. This is needed because NATO has a modular architecture, so the representatives of the member states learn about the capabilities that Hungary can contribute to the module systems of other countries and the elements in terms of which Hungary may be provided assistance.

H unga r y ’s r e la t ions wit h La tin A m e r ic a ha v e ga ine d ne w im pe t us (Online 21 May) Hungarian Foreign Minister János Martonyi emphasised that his visit to South America had given new impetus to Hungary’s relations with Latin America.

Ending his tour in South America on May 18th, 2012, the head of the Foreign Ministry stated that the results of his visit to Argentina and Brazil had exceeded all expectations, and they had managed to achieve progress in the policy of global opening concerning our relations in the areas of politics, economy, trade, science and education. The Hungarian communities of the region also contribute to the tightening of relations; this cooperation has important historical and cultural traditions. He claimed that this was even more significant for the reason that it was this region where the really important things were happening at the moment.

Concerning Brazil, the Foreign Minister emphasised that this country had become a global power, of which they were more and more aware, feeling their global responsibility. He pointed out that for this reason it did make a difference for Hungary how our bilateral relations with the South Ameri-

can country developed. He added that Brazil was a young nation trusting in the future, becoming stronger and stronger, and we could learn much from them.

Mr. Martonyi mentioned the friendliness with which Brazilian politicians and businessmen had received him, and further top-level meetings were expected in the near future. He made it clear that Antonio Patriota, Brazilian Foreign Minister would hopefully visit Budapest soon, while János Áder, President of Hungary – as well as the Minister of Rural Development, the Minister of State for Education, and the Minister for National Economy – might travel to the Rio+20 Summit organised in Brazil. He remarked that a delegation of Hungarian businessmen would travel to the meeting of the Joint Committee on Economy in November 2012.

János Martonyi also mentioned that we had concluded an important higher education agreement with Brazil. The Latin American country plans to enable around 100.000 Brazilian students to study abroad, hopefully many of them coming to Hungary. He referred to information

technology and biotechnology as further significant areas of cooperation and expressed his opinion that Hungary could learn from Brazil regarding alternative energy sources.

The Foreign Minister also informed that he had requested assistance from his Brazilian counterpart in Előd Tóásó’s case, as Antonio Patriota had good relations with the Bolivian Government. He stated that the head of the Brazilian Foreign Ministry would do his best to ensure a fair trial for the Hungarian citizen and to obtain his release from detention as soon as possible. Mr. Martonyi also mentioned that they had managed to convince several people to intercede in the case.

Foreign Minister Martonyi commenced his tour in South America involving Argentina and Brazil on May 12th, 2012. Within the framework of the policy of global opening, he participated in bilateral negotiations with his counterparts, consulted with top politicians and members of economic chambers, and met with representatives of the local Hungarian communities during his official visits.

Hungary is reducing its state debt: Orbán (Online 25 May) The Prime Minister believes it would be disastrous in Hungary’s current situation if we attempted to achieve economic growth at the expense of a rise in state debt.

Viktor Orbán spoke about this in the morning show of the public service radio.

Under the present circumstances, we must answer the question of whether economic growth may result in a higher budget deficit in the negative, he said.

If Hungary’s state debt were at the Bulgarian state debt level of 16 per cent, or even at that of the Polish of 55 per cent, we could consider raising funds within the economy, at the expense of a 5 to 10 per cent state debt increase, that permit growth, he said, pointing out, however, that the Hungarian state debt was in excess of 80 per cent „in consequence of the

inheritance of the past”, and we have to date only been able to reduce this rate to 77 to 78 per cent. „Under these circumstances, it would be disastrous for Hungary to grow whilst believing that it only undertakes a temporary increase in its debt; in actual fact, it would manoeuvre itself back into a debt trap, and in the current situation in Hungary, we must not generate growth at the expense of an increased state debt”, the Prime Minister warned.

He also mentioned that the Hungarian Government is of the opinion that the European Union should not have joint revenues as our task is „not to reinforce the Brussels bureaucracy and budget but to reinforce the individual states; their budgets, their revenues, their overall operation”. If Brussels begins to collect taxes of its own, it will end in a bureaucratic Eu-

rope „we shall inadvertently turn into a United States of Europe”, that the electors did not decide on, he continued. He then stressed, it would be a Rubicon-type change if we made it possible for the EU to collect significant funds directly.

According to Viktor Orbán, the formerly concluded fiscal pact cannot be replaced with a growth pact; it can only be supplemented at most. Hungary, he said, should be recognised and praised for being one of the 3 to 5 countries this year and also next year who are simultaneously able to increase their competitiveness and to reduce their debt. „The bare minimum that we are entitled to is fair treatment and the cancellation, the invalidation of the former unfair decision concerning the suspension of the funds that are due to us”, the Prime Minister said.

The Salzburg Forum about road safety and Schengen (Online 24 May) The next ministerial conference of the Salzburg Forum organized by the Czech Presidency took place in Chateau Štiřín near Prague on 24-25 May, 2012. Mr. Sándor Pintér, Minister of Interior was the head of the Hungarian delegation.

During the meeting the ministers of the Salzburg Forum reaffirmed their support for the accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen Area. In this context, the Salzburg Forum states reminded the Council to return to the decision on the accession in September.

The ministers reviewed the progress of the regional agreement on more efficient road-safety cooperation. In accordance with the EU regulations, this would allow a more effective international

exchange of information and cross-border enforcement of road safety related traffic fines. Hungary has a leading role in this process and the agreement is expected to be signed in October at the ministerial conference organized by the Hungarian Presidency of the Salzburg Forum.

The witness protection agreement was signed by the ministers. Witness protection measures can be effectively implemented within the framework of multilateral international treaties therefore an agreement on this issue signed by the Salzburg Forum Member States is of significant importance.

Furthermore, the ministers exchanged views on the current issues concerning the Schengen cooperation, the future role of Europol, the implementation of the

Danube Strategy’s security priorities and the security measures of the 2012 UEFA European Football Championship organised by Poland and Ukraine.

Following the first Trio Presidency of the Salzburg Forum, Hungary, Poland and Romania will take over the presidency duties from 1 July 2012. The joint program focuses on debating current EU issues, drafting common positions, strengthening regional cooperation and intensifying cooperation with third countries. The Trio Presidency also wishes to pay special attention on enhancing the coordination among the Salzburg Forum countries. The next ministerial conference, organised by the Hungarian Presidency is expected to take place in October in Mátraháza.

There is no discrimination against the Roma in Hungary (Online 25 May) We do not agree with several findings of the US State Department’s survey entitled 2011 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices because there is no discrimination against the Roma in Hungary, however, we respect and appreciate the remarks, Zoltán Kovács, Minister of State for Government Communication told MTI on Thursday by telephone from New York.

The US State Department published its human rights report covering almost 200 countries on Thursday which identified discrimination against and the social exclusion of the Roma and violent right-wing extremism as the gravest human rights problems in Hungary. According to Zoltán Kovács, the Hungarian Government is engaged in ongoing consultations with Washington on the issues raised in the report. “In our opinion, there is no discrimination

against the Roma in Hungary”, the Minister of State said. He pointed out that the report makes mention of isolated negative examples, while the Hungarian Government supports the inclusion of the Roma with systematic and comprehensive programmes. The Minister of State specifically referred to the various employment programmes.

Zoltán Kovács recalled that Viviane Reding, the member of the European Commission responsible for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship, who held a joint press conference in Brussels on Wednesday with Hungarian EP member Lívia Járóka, spoke in praise of the fact that Hungary initiated the coordination of the national Roma strategies of the EU Member States during its EU Presidency. At the same time, the Minister of State welcomed that the wording of the report reflects in several parts that “there is in-

creased understanding, the message is getting through”. He cited as an example that, in the case of the media law, a number of potential governmental measures were not mentioned as facts but merely as possibilities. He stressed that the Hungarian Government protects the rights of minorities and takes the firmest possible action against extremists. He also pointed out that Hungary had amended the legal rules on hate speech and uniformed marches. At the same time, he voiced his belief that the parties had not yet succeeded in bridging their fundamental differences on the Klubrádió case.

The Minister of State said he firmly believes that the practical application of the new Fundamental Law will soon refute the criticisms that claim that the constitutional checks and balances do not work in Hungary.

(Online 22 May) Mihály Varga, candidate for minister without portfolio for leading the negotiations between Hungary and the IMF and the EU was heard today by the relevant parliamentary committee which supported his appointment in that capacity. As is known, Viktor Orbán is reshuffling his cabinet in some positions; Mihály Varga, who was previously State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office and also Finance Minister at the time of the first Orbán Government, will take over the lead of the EU-IMF negotiations from Tamás Fellegi as of 1 June.

Mihály Varga mentioned, as the tasks in hand in the capacity of minister, the reinforcement of trust in Hungary, the erection of a „protective net” and the conclusion of an agreement. In his opinion, it is not a problem if the IMF agreement to be concluded eventually is similar to that reached in 1996 as that agreement, too, merely served as security and the government did not actually draw on it, he said. (In 1996, Hungary agreed with the IMF on a stand-by facility of the amount of SDR 264.18 million for a term of 23 months.)

The ministerial candidate told the committee that the IMF/EU facility agreement offers the country the po-

tential for major savings and benefits.

In answer to the question concerning the possible size of the facility agreement, he stated that Hungary would need an amount that would provide sufficient security for a period of two to three years.

He repeated that the Government was aiming to obtain a precautionary facility which would provide a safety net for the Hungarian economy and would thereby enhance trust in the economy; this may in turn lead to the reduction of the country’s debt service reaching 4-4.3 per cent of GDP. He reiterated that the Hungarian Government had recently sent two important documents to Brussels; the Convergence Programme and the Széll Kálmán Plan 2.0 in which the Government demonstrated the reduction of the budget deficit. He believes that, in the wake of the contemplated measures, the deficit of the budget may be comfortably kept below 3 per cent also next year.

In Varga’s opinion, this year’s GDP indicators meet with the relevant expectations; "we are in control of the situation”, he said. Growth may begin in the next half of the year, owing to the fact that the base effect will be eliminated, external demand will increase and a large automobile indus-

try project will commence production.

Varga expressed hope that negotiations with the EU and the IMF may begin after the termination of the excessive deficit procedure in June. He added that the Government fully perceives that the competent officials of the EU and the IMF are awaiting the 23 June Brussels decisions. The ministerial candidate also sincerely hopes that the negotiating parties will be able to prepare the negotiating mandates by then. The ministerial candidate praised the work done by his predecessor, Tamás Fellegi as, in his words, „we have reached the point where negotiations may commence”. We are now awaiting a green light from the IMF and the EU so that the negotiations may begin in earnest, he said.

The ministerial candidate sincerely believes that the negotiating partners, too, are preparing for the negotiations to commence in the summer.

Varga also said that, as one of his first duties, he will contact the governor of the central bank. „Our interests point in the same direction”, he stated, and believes that these identical, overlapping interests may create sufficient harmony between the central bank and the Government.

Parliament has passed a child-friendly judicial legislative package (Online 22 May) By virtue of the legislative amendments passed by Parliament on Monday, children will receive particular attention and will enjoy protection and privileged treatment in every phase of the administration of justice. The legislative package treats underage crime victims and underage witnesses as a particular priority in order to ensure that the proceedings conducted as part of the administration of justice should not add to the trauma suffered.

Every year, thousands of children come into contact with the administration of justice, whether as witnesses, victims or perpetrators. Last year, more than 15 thousand offences were committed to the injury of children and underage young people, while more than 6,000 offences were committed that involved children under the age of 14. If children’s needs are disregarded and their rights are not sufficiently observed in the course of the proceedings, they will only add to the trauma suffered and will increase the chances of these children repeatedly becoming victims.

According to the law passed by Parliament, the range of offences that do not expire until the injured person completes the age of 23 years, in contrast to the general period of limitation, will increase. This is necessary because, in the case of offences committed against underage per-

sons, very often years may elapse, after coming of age, before the victim gathers the courage to speak about what happened in the past.

The endangerment of a minor’s emotional development will be a new factual case. According to the amendment, a person who induces a minor not having completed the age of fourteen years or an individual who is otherwise unable to manifest his will to commit suicide will be held accountable as the perpetrator of the crime of homicide. Heavier sentences will also be handed down to anyone having completed the age of eighteen years as part of the crime of involvement in suicide who provides assistance of any kind for a person under the age of eighteen with committing suicide.

Most of the amendments will also be incorporated into the Criminal Code in force at present, and these will therefore be applicable in a month’s time in the interest of the increased protection of children under criminal law. Naturally, the new Penal Code entering into force next summer, that is already being debated by Parliament, will also adopt these provisions passed for the protection of children.

At the same time, in the interest of the better enforcement of children’s rights and interests, the conditions of ordering closed hearings in civil lawsuits will also change. Based on the new regulations, the court may, with

a view to a minor’s protection, bar the public from a part or the entirety of the hearing.

Minors must receive specific information tailored to their state of development, and children must be informed or warned upon being heard in lawsuits in a way that is suited to their age and stage of maturity. This is in harmony with the New York Convention on the Rights of the Child, based on which children must be given the opportunity to be heard on all issues that concern them and any opinion voiced by children must be taken into consideration with regard to the child’s state of development and age.

Based on the new rules, minors will receive a special information leaflet designed for children in conjunction with summonses issued in both civil and criminal lawsuits. Additionally, judges have an increased obligation of providing information in connection with the hearing of minors in lawsuits.

The legislative package on the childfriendly administration of justice forms part of the Year of ChildFriendly Administration of Justice launched by the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice. The Government is committed to the wider enforcement and reinforcement of children’s rights and regards the enforcement of children’s interests as a priority duty also in the area of the administration of justice.

Hungary Will Participate in Baltic Air Policing (Online 22 May) For three years, Hungary offers to provide 500,000 dollars annually for the fin a n c i a l sustainment of the Afghan National Security Forces ( A N S F ) , Prime Minister Viktor Orbán reaffirmed at NATO’s 25th Summit in Chicago on Monday, May 21. He also announced that Hungary will join the (photo: www.nato.int) Baltic Air command. At present 130,000 troops Policing mission. of allied and partner countries are Speaking about the financial contri- deployed in Afghanistan. The NATO bution to Afghanistan, the Hungarian member states reaffirmed their earPrime Minister told journalist this is a lier commitment to pull out their comrealistic commitment which amounts bat forces by the end of 2014 and to a total of 1.5 million dollars from leave a training mission behind, inde2015 to 2017, and takes into account pendently of the planned withdrawal the state of Hungary’s economy. The of French troops this year. From Hungarian troops have done an ex- 2014 on, the mission of the Alliance cellent job in Afghanistan and earned will be restricted to training and adwidespread recognition for Hungary, vising. he stressed, adding that although the At the summit of the North Atlantic Hungarian contingent is not the Treaty Organization, the Hungarian largest one in Afghanistan, it has and delegation – which included Foreign continues to have an important mis- Minister János Martonyi and Desion in the future too, so our allies are fence Minister Csaba Hende among definitely counting on Hungary’s en- others – announced that Hungary is gagement. going to participate in the Baltic Air Viktor Orbán noted that according to Policing mission. Speaking about this schedule, the ANSF will assume full topic, the Prime Minister said Hunsecurity responsibility in the country gary can contribute its air defence by 2014. “We will pull out our combat forces to the Smart Defence initiaforces while leaving our mentoring tive, which has the objective of elimunits there to assist and strengthen inating duplications. Within this the local Afghan forces”, he said, re- framework, Hungary will deploy comminding those present of the deci- bat aircraft to the Baltic region and sion made by NATO according to will participate in guarding the airwhich Hungary would leave military space of the Baltic States on a reguforces in the Asian country that are lar basis, as they have no air forces able to carry out tasks in the new of their own. They can count on Hunpost-transition period under NATO

gary in the spirit of Central European solidarity and cooperation – we will develop an especially close cooperation with Lithuania, he added.

“It was common sense that set the agenda of the summit”, this was how Viktor Orbán assessed the Chicago meeting whose topics of discussion included the building of the NATO Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capability. With regard to this, the Prime Minister noted that the United States and NATO had agreed to develop a missile shield so it has become a NATO issue, and now the international public finds the establishment of the missile defence system more acceptable.

Turning to the NATO–Russia relations, he said in his opinion there was a need for developing long-term confidence-building cooperation between the Alliance and Russia as a guarantee of stability. The Prime Minister noted that Russia is, was and will be there – and we have to take it into account as it is a major country with significant power. It is in our interest to make sure that that part of the world does not see the West as an enemy, and it is also in our interest to make sure that the West does not see Russia as an enemy, he added.

We are here in Chicago to demonstrate that NATO is alive and to send the world a clear message about it.

This is a defensive alliance, and no matter how the world will change, all its members can feel secure, the Hungarian Prime Minister concluded.

Viktor Orbán urged the NATO accession of Macedonia and Montenegro (Online 21 May) Collective defence must continue to remain NATO’s chief focus, and missile defence is an important means in achieving this, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in Chicago at the opening meeting of NATO’s 25th summit where he also urged the accession of Macedonia and Montenegro to the military alliance within the shortest possible time.

The NATO enlargements made to date have proved to be a success story, and integration must therefore continue, the Premier announced at the two-day summit held in the metropolis in the United States. The Hungarian Government fully supports the accession of Macedonia and Montenegro to NATO within the shortest possible time, Viktor Orbán said.

The Prime Minister also said at the meeting that, amidst the current se-

curity challenges, we need the closest possible cooperation between the member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. It is therefore important, he explained, that collective defence should continue to remain NATO’s chief focus and mission, and missile defence is an important means in achieving this.

Viktor Orbán also stated that regional cooperation schemes must play an important role within NATO, including, for instance, the cooperation of the Visegrád 4 (V4) countries, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He drew attention to the importance of a meeting with the participation of the member states that make the greatest contribution to NATO’s missions.

The leaders of NATO’s 28 member states started the 25th summit of the alliance in Chicago on Sunday where they discussed, inter alia, the possi-

ble strategy for a gradual exit from Afghanistan, the “smart defence” concept and missile defence. Minister for Foreign Affairs János Martonyi and Minister of Defence Csaba Hende are also members of the Hungarian delegation led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

On the second day of the summit, on Monday delegates will particularly focus on NATO’s role in Afghanistan, including the issues of transition, the funding of security forces, NATO’s role beyond 2014 and long-term partnership. At present, some 130 thousand troops from ally and partner countries are stationed in Afghanistan. NATO forces are gradually handing over the lead in military operations to the Afghans and according to the planned schedule, the vast majority of them will leave the country by the beginning of 2015.

Government disputes Amnesty report on Hungary (Online 24 May) The Hungarian Government does not agree with the findings concerning Hungary of Amnesty International’s annual report presented on 23 May. The Government believes that Hungary has taken major steps in the areas of human rights covered by the report as well as in other areas concerning human rights in the past two years. During its EU Presidency, Hungary achieved that the EU should finally place on its agenda and approve a Roma framework strategy and the Hungarian Government was the first from among the EU’s Member States to complete its national Roma Strategy. The new Hungarian church legislation, even in the esteemed opinion of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, is one of Europe’s most generous church laws which does not restrict anyone’s freedom of religion. The Government set up a Human Rights Task Force, and Hungary’s new Fundamental Law provides wider civic rights for its citizens than at any time before. Significant measures have been taken for the elimination of street homelessness.

The freedom of the press, speech and opinion is guaranteed by the Hungarian Constitution, the media constitution and the media law. These measures have been carefully left out of Amnesty International’s report, as have been the insults and injustices Hungarians living beyond the borders are regularly exposed to.

Fundamental Law: provides wider than ever civic rights Hungary’s new Fundamental Law provides wider than ever civic rights for the citizens of Hungary and was conceived in the spirit of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. We wish to remind Amnesty International that Hungary was the only country in Central Europe which was unable to create a new constitution after the change of regime, while the rest of the former socialist countries successfully accomplished this feat in the 90s (at the beginning of the nineties), Poland having been the last in 1997.

Hungary’s fundamental law dated from 1949; until recently, Hungary had a Stalin-type, transitional constitution.

The Constitution lays down the individual and collective rights of the country’s citizens, whichever national minority they may belong to, and defines the fundamental freedom rights in the spirit of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. It declares the inviolability of human dignity, the right to freedom and personal security and the protection of property. It identifies specific measures for the protection of women, children, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The Fundamental Law makes clear that it is not sufficient for the State to provide equal rights; it is further the duty of the State to create equal opportunities. The Fundamental Law lays down that everyone is equal before the law.

Every human being has legal capacity. Hungary provides the fundamental rights for everyone without distinction or discrimination, whether based on race, colour, gender, disability, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national or social origin, financial, birth or any other situation.

Women and men are equal, have equal rights. By virtue of the passage of the new constitution, Hungary reinforces its commitment to the values of the constitutional state and democracy, preserves the traditions of Hungarian parliamentarism within the framework of the republican form of state, maintains the established institutions of the current state organisation, attributes the significance deserved to fundamental freedom rights and draws the necessary conclusions from the errors of the operation of the constitutional state in the past twenty years and the deficiencies of the regulations concerning the protection of public funds. The new constitution thereby enables the citizens of the country to internalise the values of the change of regime and reinforces their faith in democracy.

On the whole, the new constitution conforms to Europe’s constitutional traditions, fulfils all relevant conditions of the constitutional state and is fully

compatible with our undertakings made at the time of our accession to the European Union.

A Human Rights Task Force has been established The Government set up a Human Rights Task Force in February for the protection of human rights, whose main duty it is to monitor the enforcement of human rights in Hungary, to engage, to this end, in ongoing consultation with civil organisations, interest representations, professional organisations and constitutional agencies, and to promote professional communication related to the enforcement of human rights in Hungary. One of its main goals is to monitor the implementation of the recommendations made by the 11th session of the UN Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Report (UPR) Working Group (May 2011) with respect to Hungary that were fully or partially endorsed by Hungary.

It is further the duty of the Task Force to make recommendations for the Government concerning legislation and law application to guarantee the fullest enforcement of human rights in Hungary. Additionally, a Human Rights Round Table was also established, the purpose of which it is to enable the task force to conduct consultations with civil organisations, interest representations and professional organisations investigating the enforcement of human rights in Hungary and to make recommendations in connection with the activities and tasks of the task force.

Hungary was the first in the EU to prepare and to implement a Roma strategy The situation of the Roma in Hungary requires the Government, the civil sector and professional organisations to perform a number of tasks.

Since its establishment, the Government has, in this field, embarked on a series of measures repeatedly put off in the last twenty years; it identified specific goals and tasks and entered into an agreement for their joint attainment and implementation with the National Roma Government. The EU placed on its agenda and approved a Roma framework strategy during Hungary’s EU Presidency. This very week, the National Social Inclusion Strategy was met with major recognition; this document duly reflects the goals identified during Hungary’s EU Presidency in 2011 and attained since.

The Hungarian Government was the first to approve and to submit to the EU its National Social Inclusion Strategy and the related action plan because it was fully aware that one of Hungary’s gravest problems is the gradual deterioration of the situation of those living in poverty, including the Roma population. This results in a major disadvantage and exclusion from opportunities in the areas of learning, employment and health care services. This in consequence also leads to the deterioration of the already poor living conditions of those living in disadvantaged regions and on the peripheries of localities.

The violent attacks on the Roma occurred in 2008 and 2009; these crimes inspired by racism had a highly detrimental effect not only on the victims and their communities themselves but also on the whole of society, experts believe. The Government has taken firm measures to improve the efficiency of the administration of justice, criminal proceedings and the activities of the police in order, inter alia, to prevent the recurrence of such violent attacks and to ensure that they are not left without retribution. The new Penal Code currently before Parliament makes specific mention of the typical target individuals and target groups of prejudice- or hatred-based offences, and continues to severely penalise the perpetrators of such crimes. Consequently, individuals who attack Roma, gay people, disabled individuals or the members of other communities will not go unpunished, but neither will those who commit such acts to the injury of those forming part of the majority. Additionally, the new Penal Code will provide heavier punishment for those who commit of-

fences against children, and will take a more firm stance on violence within the family, including emotional injury.

Freedom of religion – One of Europe’s most generous church laws The new church legislation confirmed religious freedom in Hungary. Hungary recognises churches and religious communities as a highly important cohesive force of society with a firm set of values. The new Hungarian church law is, even in the esteemed opinion of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, one of Europe’s most generous church laws which does not restrict anyone’s religious freedom and guarantees at present the operation of 32 churches recognised by Parliament, thereby covering the entire religious spectrum of Hungarian society. The new church legislation, in harmony with the Fundamental Law, conforms to Hungary’s international commitments and is fully in conformity with the covenants set forth in Articles 2, 18 and 26 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in Articles 2, 18 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in Articles 9 and 14 of the Covenant concerning the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in Article 1 of Optional Protocol 12 to the Covenant and in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The new church law is also in harmony with Article 17(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which delegates the statutory regulation of religious and church affairs to national competence.

Media law The freedom of the press, speech and opinion is guaranteed in Hungary by the Hungarian Constitution, the media constitution and the media law.

Neither the Hungarian Government, nor any other political or civil organisation has the right or the possibility to intervene in the day-to-day work of the electronic and conventional media and editorial boards. In Hungary, the printed and Internet press is supervised by autonomous professional organisations based on an agreement entered into with the authorities. Similar to the standing European practice, television channels and radio stations are supervised by an autonomous state administration agency that is independent of the Government, the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, within the boundaries of the Constitution and the legal rules concerning media administration. Any decision taken by the Media Council may be appealed against before the independent Hungarian courts.

Situation of the homeless The European Parliament adopted a resolution in September 2011 in which it urges Member States to end street homelessness by 2015. The resolution calls upon Member States to provide access for the homeless to affordable housing and initiates the utilisation of EU funding for this purpose. In harmony with the guidelines laid down by the EU, the Government of Hungary is seeking ways to reduce homelessness, to prevent homelessness and to improve the social integration of the homeless. To this end, a number of measures have been taken, model programmes have been introduced and legal rules have been amended, while the system of homeless care services is currently being reviewed. The Government has recently intensified its cooperation with the Metropolitan Municipality and homeless care provider organisations. As a result, everyone had access to accommodation during the extraordinarily cold winter days this year; compared with years before when 30 to 130 people froze to death on metropolitan public premises, the extreme cold this year only claimed a single victim.

Gender identity Last but not least, regardless of their sexual orientation, citizens in Hungary are free to express their gender identity. According to the report recently issued by an international organisation similar to Amnesty International (see here), the situation of homosexuals in Hungary is the most favourable in Central-Europe.