A magyarországi szlovák nemzeti kisebbség helyzete [antikvár]

The programme of the Government which took office following the elections of 1994 refers to the protection and realisation of the rights of minorities and their situation in society as the most important yardstick of democracy. In its programme the Government made a double commitment: to fully guarantee the rights of minorities living in Hungary (in accordance with European norms) and to strive for the development of a social environment in which none of the minorities need to have reason to fear in the native land and in which no individual need to suffer any sort of discrimination. Since taking office, the Government has implemented many concrete measures - of theoretical significance and practical value - in order to realise a programme of minority policy which is indisputably ambitious in this region of Europe. The fulfilment of our commitments has been accompanied by unprecedented interest from abroad. Over and above our immediate neighbours - who have understandably paid great attention to the situation of minorities in Hungary - Western European democracies and their integration organisations have alsó examined the measures that we have taken and their practical effects. The achievements of the Government in this area have not only stood the test of critical examination; by meeting the four fundamental requirements of integration, they have alsó been important factors in the success of Hungary's efforts concerning European integration. The 1997 country report of the European Union includes the following statement: "Hungary presents the characteristics of a democracy, with stable institutions guaranteeing the rule of law, humán rights and respect for and protection of minorities/' In the course of implementing our minority policy, we have always relied upon the co-operation of the national or ethnic minorities and upon the full involvement of the national and local minority self-governments as their legitimate and elected bodies. The minority self-governments which were elected in 1994/95 on the basis of the minority legislation and which have gradually expanded and begun their operation, play an increasingly important role in minority self-organisation. If the findings of the EU country report - according to which the national minority selfgovernments are the 'national autonomous governments' of the minorities - may appear perhaps still rather premature, these findings may be considered correct with regard to the essence and final purpose of the process. Concerning efforts to preserve