Hungarian Writer Seeks Refugee Status In Canada
- 5 Mar 2012 8:01 AM
"Writer Ákos Kertész and his wife flew to Canada on February 29 and applied for political asylum, the 80-year-old Kossuth Prize winner announced on Sunday. Kertész’s theatrical works have been adapted for the stage in several countries. His novel Makra has been translated into 12 languages and sold 1.2 million copies worldwide. He was awarded the Kossuth Prize in 2008.
Budapest city council revoked Kertész’s honorary citizenship on September 21, 2011, after an article highly critical of Hungarians was published by Amerikai Népszava.
Kertész wrote in part in the August 29 essay that “Hungarians are genetically subservient” and are therefore susceptible to a strong leader.
He added that Hungarians must share blame for the horrors of the Holocaust, but the Hungarian people have never accepted responsibility and apologised.
Sunday’s statement said Kertész was exposed to constant physical harassment and felt that his life was in danger, following a campaign by pro-government media.
He wrote that he found it hard to reach his decision as the Hungarian language is his life and Hungary is his home.
“I hope that I can return to a democratic, tolerant and humane Hungary one day.”
Jobbik MP Ádám Mirkóczki said the cabinet would have had a duty to expel Kertész from the country had he not left."
Source: Hungary Around the Clock
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