The Slovak government does not change its position on the legislation regarding the Beneš decrees, which the Hungarian side strongly criticizes. The amendment to the criminal law also caused resentment among the Hungarian minority in Slovakia.
The Slovak government is not changing its position on the legislation regarding the Beneš decrees, the head of the Hungarian government office, Gergely Gulyás, stated on Thursday. According to the nepszava.hu server, Gulyás expressed the opinion that the situation could be corrected within the framework of the Slovak legal system, informs the TASR correspondent in Budapest.
“It is regrettable that the Slovak government, which made a serious mistake in this regard, does not change its position,” added the head of the government office. According to him, the Slovak cabinet does not recognize that the relevant amendment to the criminal law is contrary to the principle of rejection of collective guilt, while restricting freedom of speech is particularly unacceptable.
Gulyás kritizuje vladu
According to Gulyás, the situation could be rectified within the framework of the Slovak legal system. “We support the initiative of the Hungarian party in Slovakia in this matter, but we will also raise this issue at international forums. We will provide legal assistance at international forums for anyone who suffers damage due to Beneš’s decrees,” the head of the government office emphasized.
According to an amendment to the Slovak Criminal Code, anyone who publicly questions the post-war arrangement, which deprived thousands of Hungarians of their property and citizenship, can be sentenced to six months in prison, index.hu reported.
Signing of the amendment to the law
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini signed the amendment before Christmas. Among other things, it establishes the criminal offense of questioning the post-war Beneš decrees. It was published on December 27 and took immediate effect. The amendment to the law caused discontent among the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and was sharply criticized by Hungarian political figures, the server added.
