1196 | 707 | Deprivation of rights of ethnic minorities in Subcarpathia

The border changes in the twentieth century took place in accordance with the interests of the great powers, not the interests of indigenous minorities. One of the criteria of the international treaties ending the First World War was the right of self-determination of nations, which was not observed. _x000D_
Transcarpathia (Subcarpatia) was particularly hard hit by these changes. The area was part of Hungary before WWI. One of the most fundamental signs of this is that Transcarpathia as a territorial unit appeared at the beginning of the century. _x000D_
The ethnic composition of Subcarpathia has been mixed for centuries. During most of the twentieth century Hungarians made up the majority, but it also had a significant Swabian (German) and Jewish minority. After the Hungarians, the Ruthenians formed the largest ethnic group. This was one of the reasons why, after WWI, Subcarpathia became part of Czechoslovakia on the condition that the local Ruthenians were given autonomous rights within the state. This did not happen._x000D_
After the Second World War, the region became part of the Soviet Union, where, the Hungarians could keep their schools. They however did not have an independent higher education institution and only a Hungarian department was established at the University of Ungvár (Uzhorod). The sole official language was Russian, even in those areas where Hungarians made up the majority._x000D_
After the independence of Ukraine, there was a plan to make the regional majority languages official, but this was never implemented. Since then, the rights of minorities to use their languages have been continuously curtailed. Thus, based on the latest decisions, the use of their native language is restricted even in schools. It is even planned that Hungarians will not be allowed to speak their native language in public areas. The Ruthenians are further discriminated against, as they are not officially recognized as an independent ethnic group._x000D_

Kertész Dávid
Hungarian Pen Club

ID Abstract: 707