Ukrainian Hungarians Live for Two Motherlands

Though Ukrainian Hungarians consider Zakarpattia their small motherland, they prefer to have double citizenship. 

To get to the boundary recreation area 

you can only if you have ID 

 The residents of the small village Galabor are separated from Hungary by the narrow river Tisza. The locals love to come and have picnics on its banks. To get there you can only if you have the  identifying documents. Better not to cross the river as you risk to get to the EU without visa and wearing only pants. Standing on the bank, you can wave to the foreigners bathing on the opposite side. The biggest Hungarian diaspora in Ukraine lives in the Beregovsky border region of Zakarpattia - 75% of the population of the district. Here the Western European Time is used, the children are called with Magyar names, even spices in the market people try to buy Hungarian - they are a little more expensive than Ukrainian, but it is said that it tastes better, and without any preservatives. It is popular  to get a second citizenship here. Since the beginning of 2011 Hungary has simplified the procedure for the Ukrainians. However, the holders of two passports do not prefer to advertise it. They quietly go to the nearest Hungarian village council and submit their documents. In Beregovo there are many horror stories about how the perpetrators of Ukrainian law are punished (in Ukraine double citizenship is forbidden). People do not believe in rumours and did not have any shame in having two passports in their pockets. It is rarely paid attention in Beregovo towards which language you speak and to which church you go. If there is any tension, it is only on political grounds. One of the recent incidents - a scandal because of the anthem of Hungary at the meetingsof  Beregovskogo District Council. The deputies voted in favor of this decision, the local prosecutor's office appealed to it. 

Another argument was because of the renewal of the old name of the village Beregsas instead of the current Beregovo. The voting took place on the eve of local elections. Turnout was bad, the picture of the voting was also damaged by Roma community. The amount of the community increases due to the payments on the birth of a child. They dropped into the ballot box empty ballots. Because of this one thousand of forms were recognized as invalid. 

As a result, everybody sticks to their point: some invites guests to Berego, others to Beregsas. But nobody lets to be lost because of national differences as everybody are interested in tourists who will spend their money here.      

For many people here Hungarian is a native language and Russian and Ukrainian is foreign. For young people there is no any language barriers as many of them go for practice to big Hungarian cities and never come back.  

At some moment you stop paying attention to the accent the everybody has here. Local public servants get additional payment for knowledge of Hungarian as a foreign language but rather Ukrainian and Russian are foreign languages here. From here you can on the tour around Europe for 40 euro and many people have their wedding rings on the left hand. 

Resource: Focus.ua http://focus.ua/society/194334/

  

Under the Mask of Stereotypes about Minorities – One Story of Millions

The problem of xenophobia, discrimination and intolerant attitude towards representatives of national minorities in Ukraine is still painful. Having become independent, Ukraine proclaimed the state protection of all citizens on the background of equality as one of its priorities that is supported by the chain of articles of the Constitution of Ukraine, law of Ukraine “About national Minorities”, and from 1 January 1998 Ukraine ratified Framework Convention on Protection of National Minorities that came into force on 1 May 1998.

On the state level, according to the national and international legislation rights and freedoms of the national minorities have to be recognized and protected. Nevertheless, that we have on the paper cannot change the attitude of the citizens towards representatives of different national minorities. And some national minorities is very hard to integrate into Ukrainian society due to their nature, traditions, culture, and religion.

The Roma problem stays actual in all regions of Ukraine, nowadays. Roma have been living in Ukraine for 500 years. According to the census of 2001 there are 48 000 Roma officially registered in Ukraine. But for the last years the Roma population has increased considerably due to forced return of the “illegal” immigrants from Western Europe. Such situation provoked discontent from the side of local communities. Especially it concerns Zacarpatia region.

Roma differ from other people, first of all, by the isolation of their communities from other local groups. In Sumy they live on the suburbs of the city, hereby they are not integrated with the rest of society. Notwithstanding that Roma have been living settled in Sumy for a long time, citizens treat them still with suspicion. As a result, discrimination of Roma is widely spread in employment, education, healthcare, trials. For the majority of citizens Roma are associated with market sellers, fortune-tellers, beggars and cheaters.

During my interview with the representatives of Roma community in Sumy, we brought up the topic of Roma discrimination in Ukraine. One of the men commented that it is not only the guilty of the local community they (Roma) also realize that an equal responsibility for being integrated lies on them. “A huge part of Roma lives on the fringes of civilization as a lot of them still live as nomads moving from one place to another. They create the wall of stereotypes about Roma for other people. But those who settled down, they want to have their children educated and integrated into the society.”

Among Roma there are those who made a lot for the community, Ukraine and by their actions they break the wall of stereotypes and generalization about Roma.

A striking example of such Roma people is the Demydenko family. Farther of the family, Yurij Demedenko, is the President of the Tae Kwan Do Federation Sumy Department, the judge of national level. Additionally, he is also actively engaged in public activities, ran for Sumy city Council. Being a trainer and as a President of the Tae Kwan Do Federation in Sumy, he helps youth achieve success in the world of sport.

His daughters Rada and Rubina Demydenky have big awards in the world of sport. The girls first started to go in for circus studio, and after they decided to turn in to the world of sport. Karate was at first. Rada became the regional champion in Karate in 2 months, and Rubina repeated her elder sister’s success in 6 months.

As karate is not the Olympic type of sport, the girls made up their mind to go in for tae kwan do. Today Rada is four times champion of Ukraine, five times owner of the Cup of Ukraine, took 5th place on the championship of Europe in 2004. Rubina is five times champion of Ukraine, 2 dan, black belt. From 2000 to 2006 the girls were a part of Ukrainian national Olympic team in tae kwan do. At their 26 and 23, Rada and Rubina are masters of sport, trainers and instructors in tae kwan do.

During the interview I asked if there is a difference for youth who come for girls’ trainings which nationality they are. Their farther replied that now there is no difference, parents and children are interested in the professionalism of trainers.

But was it always like this … When the girls started their sport career they were treated with disrespect and not serious, as their farther commented “look, gypsies arrived”. Nobody helped them, though their farther asked for it more than once when the girls needed to go for competitions to represent either region or country. To have an opportunity to send Rada nd Rubina for competitions he had to sell his car. The girls received support only when they represented National Olympic team. Yurij Demydenko always has with him all copies of certificates, diplomas, and all necessary papers proving girls’ achievements.

Such achievements for Roma girls are unusual. First of all, to go in for martial arts for girls in Roma culture is a shame. As the Demydenko family’s friend, who was present at the interview, explained, “It is forbidden for Roma girls to have their legs opened, only long skirts, that is why parents do not think about putting their daughters into such sport. And here they dared, and were not afraid. They were laughed 100 % at the beginning …”.

The girls want to open their Tae Kwan Do school for Roma and Ukrainian youth. They turned to the head of the school where they studied to give them the gym for trainings with youth. This school is situated in that part of the city where the girls and most of Roma live. But they were denied. From Yuriy Demydenko’s words, the head of the school worried that after Rada and Rubina start to train children in the school there will be “gypsies hanging around all the time” and it can bring to the breach of order. So, the girls train on the other end of the city and they have a lot of students.

Thanks to their achievements, today they are respected among sportsmen and trainers not only in Ukraine but abroad. Though they still have to show all their awards, prove and wait that finally somebody will pay attention to the talented sportswomen.

Understanding Tolerance Correctly

A lot of people associate tolerance with defenceless. It's a reason of a reaction of right-extremists and permanent propaganda against tolerance.
Else several month ago as a member of Civil Council by Kharkiv Region State Administration I generate an idea to make in universities of Kharkiv public lections about the real meaning and value of tolerance - "Tolerance for Peace".
I planed to do it to the International Tolerance Day (16.11) and with support of Civil Council by K.R.S.A. and in partnership with Kharkiv Region Youth Civil Organisation "Nadija Naciji" i took part in organisation of a massive education project in my city.
About 1400 students of different universities heard a lection about tolerance and personally me communicated with 120 students. Part in training in Sumy was very useful for me, it was a necessary reason of my success and success of whole large group, organising a lections.

Thank you very much all organisers of training in Sumy and also everybody who took part with me there! You gave me amazing experience that helped me very much in my work.

International Human Rights Day is coming! Which changes happened in your country? Share your ideas!


Human Rights Day on 10 December recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination. Acting alone or in groups within their communities, every day human rights defenders work to end discrimination by campaigning for equitable and effective laws, reporting and investigating human rights violations and supporting victims.

While some human rights defenders are internationally renowned, many remain anonymous and undertake their work often at great personal risk to themselves and their families. Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

When the General Assembly adopted the Declaration, with 48 states in favor and eight abstentions, it was proclaimed as a "common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations", towards which individuals and societies should "strive by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance". 

Although the Declaration with its broad range of political, civil, social, cultural and economic rights is not a binding document, it inspired more than 60 human rights instruments which together constitute an international standard of human rights. 

Today the general consent of all United Nations Member States on the basic Human Rights laid down in the Declaration makes it even stronger and emphasizes the relevance of Human Rights in our daily lives.The High Commissioner for Human Rights , as the main United Nations rights official, and her Office play a major role in coordinating efforts for the yearly observation of Human Rights Day.

Publication by the training results

Publication "Training Course "Intercultural Facilitation for Preventing Discrimination" Project Materials” Project Materials» was issued within the project “Intercultural Facilitation for Preventing Discrimination” implemented with the support of European Youth Center of Council of Europe in 2011. Publication consists of project materials, training sessions, methodological advice and recommendations, comments of project participants.

Footballize People

- “Make” Sport, Not War!

• Causes: lack of common sport initiatives and increased level of discrimination.

• Target group: young people living in Bucharest (Romanians and representatives of minorities living in Romania)

• Date: April 2012, Bucharest

• Objectives: to give the youngsters from different cultures in Bucharest the possibility to express themselves with the means of sport and to provide a space for intercultural dialogue.

Task 1:
Romanian Perspective

1. In the Romanian society there is a high amount of minorities that still generate an important debate for the public and the political sphere. The fall of the communism, brought to our attention the lack of a sustainable program, up to that date, to integrate the minorities within the boundaries of the country. Years after, the situation seems to get worse as the Anti- Semitism, which emerged as an aftermath of the old regime intensified, fueled by economic and political factors. The various minority groups historically have faced ethnic and religious intolerance, and since the mid-nineteenth century, constantly have voiced their dissatisfaction with the nationalist policies traditionally practiced by local authorities.

2. The main focus regarding the minorities falls on the hungarian and roma ethnics as they represent roughly 9% of the people living in Romania. Therefore, most of the governmental effort (not efficient!), go to fulfill the needs of the above mentioned minorities. The possibilities, for most of the minorities relies mostly on their own effort. So to say, it’s most likely a local initiative that grants the minorities the access to culture or to social interest. The-twenty-years-old freedoms of speech and expression facilitated the emergence of national minorities from the repression of the old regime, having now, theoretically, the same possibilities.

3. Having a background characterized both by incompetence in the relation with minorities and the weight of the communism, the society feels the need to learn how to deal with minorities. The important aspect that we would like to underline would be the following, being the core of this issue: minority as the perpetuum troublesome for the Romanian decision-making. The various minority groups historically have faced ethnic and religious intolerance, and since the mid-nineteenth century, constantly have voiced their dissatisfaction with the nationalist policies traditionally practiced by local authorities.

4. There are so many sensitive points in the matter of the minorities in Romania. First, there is, after the emergence of the Hungarian minority, the dispute over the extensive authonomy for the areas populated largely by these ethnics. In the same time, the programs implemented by the leaders of the Hungarian Party try to create a barrier between Romanian and Hungarian ethnics. Politically, for no logic reason, they try to break the mutual understanding that we can encounter in these areas.

On the other hand, the main focus now on the Roma minority as it disrupts the internal affairs of the European Union. Most of the national programs step forward and try to express the support for these people. Most of them are completely useless. In the end, there are indeed some profit based-on campaigns that perform some mercenary work as delivering a training that a person cannot even digest.

5. Several projects regarding minorities’ rights have been implemented, among which we should mention the project organized in 2011 by the Open Society Institute. It was a European Monitoring and Advocacy Program entitled Equal Access to Quality Education for Roma, through which the Gypsies’ conditions have been monitored. The project extended over 8 countries from Central and Eastern Europe and several reports have been made to analyze different laws and politics for minority populations.

Another project regarded women’s professional status. ’Empowering Women Belonging to Ethnic Minorities’ was organized in Bucharest in 2009 by “CNSLR-Fraţia” and financed by the Netherlands Embassy. The leadership program was made up of 4 training modules and addressed a number of 20 women. Its main purpose was to develop participants’ knowledge and skills to sustain Gypsies’ problems on the labour market.

‘The Decade of Roma Inclusion’ Program  is an initiative of the World Bank and of the Open Society Institute, in which 9 Governments from Central and South-Eastern Europe take part and which has established to fight against the discrimination of Gypsies and to speed their integration as full-fledged European citizens.

6. Minorities’ rights protection is assured on the Romanian territory by several instruments such as, The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities adopted on the 1^st of February 1995 in Strasbourg,  The European Charter form Regional or Minority Languages, The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from March 23, 1976 and the Document of the Copenhagen Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE from 1990.

7. Among the institutions created for the ethnic population’s rights, we could mention The Romanian Agency for Guidance and Assistance of Minorities and Under-Privileged People or the National Minority Council.

First task is waiting for you!

Dear participants,
To get prepared for the training course we prepared some tasks for you which you can find HERE.
The deadline for the first task is October 1, 2011.

Welcome!

We are glad to welcome you on the blog dedicated to the project "Intercultural Facilitation for Preventing Discrimination". This blog was created for you to give the opportunity to keep in touch, to know more about the project, to share your experience and to discuss upcoming issues. Here you have the following opportunities: put your topics, take part in discussions and share your ideas.