Canada’s National Post daily newspaper published an op-ed entitled “A Word in Hungary’s Defence,” by Ambassador Bálint Ódor. The Orbán government’s representative in Canada was responding to an earlier piece in the National Post by Professor András Göllner, which highlighted the xenophobia that is a driving force behind the policies of the current regime in Budapest, especially as they relate to refugees. Ambassador Ódor accused Professor Göllner of playing the “Nazi card” and added that his government must reject any attempts by foreign countries to “dramatically change the cultural composition of our country.” On Wednesday, the National Post published the following two responses to Mr. Ódor’s piece.
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EU Membership is a Two-Way Street
Nobody is attempting to impose an immigration model on Hungary, nor is there any attempt to change the cultural composition of his country, as Ambassador Bálint Ódor suggests. The basis of voluntary membership in the European Union is the “pooling” of certain national responsibilities that would otherwise fall under the decision-making power of sovereign states. Hungary knew that multilateral decision-making was part of the package, which included lavish western development subsidies, when it joined the EU.
One of the many refugees who have transited through Hungry was Aziz, a 16-year-old Afghan. He was homeless in a Budapest park and he frequented a soup kitchen in the rough-and-tumble 8th District. One day, a Hungarian homeless man became agitated as he waited for his meal and broke the glass door leading to the community centre. He punctured an artery and began to bleed to death, much to the horror of Hungarians passing-by.
Aziz, who had survived war in Afghanistan, knew exactly what to do and didn’t hesitate, thus saving the man’s life. He made headlines in newspapers and was labelled a hero. But for him, there was nothing heroic about what he did. It was just the normal, compassionate and human thing to do. Hungary’s government should take note.
Christopher Adam, Ottawa
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After the failed 1956 uprising against Soviet occupation, untold numbers of Hungarians were forced to flee their country. These refugees were welcomed by Canada and many other countries around the democratic world. I now find it more than sad to see the government of Hungary today closing its borders against refugees and using pepper spray against them to keep them out.
Bill Short, Hamilton, Ont.