In the document on public order and public safety for the 2015-2020 period, recently released for public discussion, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is interpreting its own responsibilities in a way that is unworthy for a constitutional state. The twenty-page long text adopted by the government is calling a legitimate community demand, the Szekler autonomy aspiration, a “criminal phenomenon” that "poses a constant threat to the citizens' welfare and safety”. According to the document, the demand for territorial autonomy is a “racist, xenophobic and extremist manifestation”. To make things worse, according to the superficial wording, racism and xenophobia can only be considered a source of threat if it is aimed at achieving a region’s autonomy. In other words, racism and xenophobia is permissible, according to the Romanian government, as long as its aim is a national minority’s violent assimilation, expulsion or extermination or any other criminal offense against a person or group.

Following the list of threats, is the presentation of government tasks and measures to avert danger. Here, however, they forget about autonomy. In other words, no matter how grave of a criminal phenomenon autonomy is being labeled by the government, they don't intend to do anything about it. This either implies that the paragraph’s only goal is incitement against minorities demanding autonomy, or that the government is unwilling to publicly undertake the measures unworthy for a constitutional state that they are about to use.

Ever since its foundation, the Szekler National Council if fighting for Szeklerland’s autonomy by means of law and democracy. They wish to enforce these efforts through a cardinal law adopted by the Romanian Parliament. Characterizing these efforts as criminal phenomenon is the truly dangerous crime, as it not only goes against the will of the community, but undermines the faith in the democratic institutions, questions fundamental constitutional rights, such as the freedom of speech freedom of expression or the right of the political and public action. We strongly condemn this approach, as a reversal of the development of the country’s democracy, and demand that the paragraph in question is removed from the document.

However, despite of the above mentioned stigma, we can state that a government strategy document deals with autonomy efforts as a real demand, which indicates that the Romanian government recognizes its existence, even though its response to this social challenge calls in mind the Ceausescu regime. The Szekler National Council expressed on numerous occasions that it’s interested in dialogue, in the improvement of the Romanian-Hungarian relations, in a solution that means a better life and greater safety for all communities living on Szeklerland’s territory. Territorial autonomy for Szeklerland, and personal autonomy for all Hungarians in Transylvania are vital matters, as for Romania, it is not a threat but a source of strength that serves the benefit of all citizens.

Izsák Balázs

President of the Szekler National Council

Marosvásárhely, March the 27th 2015