The Group Chairman, Joseph Daul MEP, says, "the first political priority is to defend and protect civil rights and the freedom of expression everywhere in Europe, without compromise or exception. My Group has repeatedly expressed its disquiet about the current functioning of democracy in Hungary over the last months. But our state of concern has become one of alarm at the decision by the Hungarian authorities, on 23 October last, to have police surrounding the Parliament building in Budapest."

"To me the Kossuth Square is a symbol of democracy and liberty of expression in Hungary. Our Group has held a constructive and productive meeting in precisely the Hungarian Parliament building in June 2004. The posting of a police barricade is very difficult to comprehend, since the peaceful demonstrations of civil disobedience by Hungarian MPs and MEPs of the Fidesz party is a legitimate claim for civil rights," states Mr. Daul.

The Chairman of the EPP-ED, acting on behalf of the 277 Members of the European Parliament in his Group from all 27 EU Member States, expresses solidarity with those who, like the Hungarian colleagues, take their responsibilities to fight for recognition of their fundamental rights.

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