Given that the indictment formulated against Beke István Attila and Szőcs Zoltán by the Romanian investigative authorities contains many findings that have nothing to do with the facts described in the indictment, nor with the possible crimes attributed to the suspects by the authorities, nor with the presented evidence, the Standing Committee of the Szekler National Council has examined the indictment, paying particular attention to fragments referring to the Szekler National Council, the Szekler autonomy movement, Hungary and the Hungarian people as a whole. As a starting point, the Standing Committee made it clear that they condemn all acts of violence or threats of violence, and reaffirmed, that they desire to achieve Szeklerland’s autonomy following the path of democracy, through constitutional and democratic means, as they have been doing for over ten years now. The Standing Committee also stated the following:

The Szekler flag is the symbol of Szeklerland and the Szekler peoples.

Located in the centre of Romania, spreading across 13.500 square kilometres, Szeklerland is a region that has been inhabited by the Szeklers, a peoples with Hungarian national identity, for over a thousand years. Throughout the past centuries, living on the eastern borders of western Christianity, they have created an independent culture and contributed to universal culture through many exceptional individuals. Their bright blue flag with a golden stripe bears ancient symbols, and in 2009, the Congress of Szekler Self Governments declared it the flag of Szeklerland.

We are satisfied anfd greatful to receive your bureau’s response to our statement, adopted by the protesters at Marosvásárhely on March 10 of this year – the day of Szekler liberty. We are satisfied with, and graceful for your readiness for dialogue, the fact that you substantially addressed the majority of the issues we brought up, that you find the protection of Romania’s cultural diversity necessary, that you expressed intent for Romania to respect its commitments, and the effort to “recognize higher level standards for the protection of the rights of persons belonging to minorities”.

On March 10, 2016 a large-scale, peaceful demonstration took place in Marosvásárhely. Fifteen thousand people took to the streets, in the historic capital of Szeklerland, the region inhabited mostly by the Szeklers, people with Hungarian self identity, demanding autonomy and protesting Romania’s planned administrative reform that would encroach upon the rights of the local Hungarian population. Even during the protest, the gendarmerie has, unlawfully and without justification, confiscated flags and signs with slogans from the protesters. The event, that was announced in advance and registered in the mayoral office, has taken place without incident, in accordance with prior notifications. Despite all this, participants indentified by the secret service on photographs and film footage, have been fined, some for “organizing an unannounced, unregistered or banned event”, others for “disturbing the peace”.

Romania continues with the intimidation tactics against its Hungarian minority in Szeklerland.

Dear Mr. President of the Szekler National Council, Izsák Balázs, Dear authorities of Szeklerland, Dear friends all.

Fiere Szeklers, Beste Deelnemers,

Proud Szeklers, Dear Participants,

Today, on the 10th of March 2016, we the Szeklers gathered at the memorial of the Szekler martyrs at Marosvásárhely, walking the path of justice and democracy, consistently proclaim our will: we require Szeklerland’s territorial autonomy! We do this in the company of the representatives of Hungarian communities gathered here from all of Transylvania to support us, as well as people all over the world, who understood the message of the day of Szekler liberty: to us, this isn’t just a day to remember our martyrs, our historical role-models, nut the day when together, we demand our rights, which can only take form in the spirit of national self-determination.

The Szekler National Council calls all Hungarian communities of the world to a solidarity demonstration on March 10, 2016, the Day of Szekler Freedom. This year too, we ask them to gather in front of the Romanian embassies, preferably at the same time with the demonstration at Marosvásárhely, to express their support of Szeklerland’s demand for autonomy and protest against the abuses committed by the Romanian authorities.

On March 10 2016, we shall be counted both literally and figuratively. We will be counted by the authorities, official reports will state how many of us were gathered at the Postarét at Marosvásárhely at 4 pm, how many of us crossed the central square and how many of us participated in the protest in front of the prefecture, the old town hall.

Our loyalty to our traditions and our goals will be weighed, as our collective wisdom and dignity, as will the moral strength that has been confronting the Romanian authorities, as well as the entire world, with the will of the Szeklers: territorial autonomy for their homeland, Szeklerland. Through constitutional means, without violence, but with unbreakable determination, we demand freedom: self-governance, within the state.