It Is Our Duty to Raise the Tibetans' Case

Zoltán Balog, MP of Fidesz - Hungarian Civic Union and chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Hungarian National Assembly stood up for the Tibetan people's human rights at a joint press-conference with Amnesty International and the Tibet Support Group.

Created: 20th May, 2008 16:16 \| Last updated: 22nd May, 2008 11:46	print	send

Mr Balog said that opposition parties Fidesz, the Christian Democratic People's Party (KDNP), the Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF), as well as SZDSZ, the former liberal member of the cabinet of PM Ferenc Gyurcsány had signed a common proposition for a resolution calling on the People's Republic of China to respect basic human rights, freedom of speech, right to information and the freedom to choose one's religious beliefs Tibet and the PRC as well. The proposition urges Beijing to start talks with Tibetans regarding the future status of the territory. After weeks of multi-party consultations, governing socialists refused to sign the proposal.

The opposition MP emphasized that he hoped the National Assembly would, with the help of the votes of the parties signing the initial proposition, adopt a resolution. Showing his personal sympathy, Mr Balog raised the Tibetan flag.

On 19 May, the Hungarian National Assembly adopted the resolution, with the socialist parliamentary group being the only one voting against it. This also marked the first situation in which the minority socialist government of PM Ferenc Gyurcsány failed to get enough external support for the required majority.

(www.fidesz.hu)