Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization

October 12, 2006

Hungarian Minority In Romania: Szeklers to Hold Referendum on Autonomy

Szekler representatives will attend along with the Hungarian Democratic Alliance the events marking the Constitution's 500th anniversary.

The representatives of the National Szekler Council will attend on Saturday along with the Hungarian Democratic Alliance (UDMR) the events marking the 500th anniversary since the passage of the Szekler Constitution by the National Assembly of Szeklers in Lutita. The head of the Szekler Council, Csapo Jozsef, said his organization will participate in the events, which will take place on October 15 and 16, where it will represent "the fight for territorial autonomy through the legal creation of Szekler County, as an autonomous administrative region."

His comments came as recently, UDMR leader Marko Bela announced that his party will initiate procedures to obtain autonomy for the Hungarian communities in Szekler County, a region largely inhabited by ethnic Hungarians in Covasna, Harghita and Mures counties. He said autonomy is the only solution to the problems of the Hungarian minority in this region.

His initiative was praised by Szeklers, but was contested by most politicians and Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu. In the past, the Szekler Council has criticized the UDMR, accusing the party of not doing enough for the Hungarian minority.

Last week, the council decided to hold an unofficial referendum on the autonomy issue in Covasna, Harghita and Mures. The referendum will be held before November 4 and the council called on all local officials in the three counties to support the public consultation. Csapo also said the council will have consultations with the UDMR, the Hungarian Civic Union (UCM) and the National Council of Hungarians in Transylvania (CNMT) before initiating the referendum.

Csapo added that the referendum must be held before Romania's European Union accession on January 1. "Before accession, expressing the Szekler people's legitimate will based on local referendum is an absolute necessity," he said.