“Having reviewed material on both sides,” said Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, the co-chairman of the Helsinki Commission, “I must say that I believe the Orbán government is right when it says that many of the criticisms are unfair, involving double standards, misrepresentations, and inaccurate information.” His comments were part of a written statement submitted to the official record. You can read the whole statement at the Commission’s record of the hearing.



We noted that the hearing was not very well attended. In fact, aside from Senator Cardin, none of the other senators or members of Congress showed up. This is part of the reason.

The congressman’s statement carries the kind of message we would hope to hear in a dialogue between friends. In fact, while referring to “rude insinuations” about Hungary’s democracy, Smith calls for a “conversation between equals”. While encouraging continued efforts in certain areas, like countering anti-Semitism, he also notes “the many laudable things in the new constitution” that advance human rights.

“We should be a lot more humble,” says Congressman Smith, “especially when we are dealing with a country like Hungary, where the system of constitutional checks and balances is alive and well, where a democratic party with an unprecedented supermajority and a mandate for dramatic change, gained in a free and fair election, passed a democratic constitution and shows itself open to working with others to amend and improve the flaws in its new laws.”

We look forward to continuing conversations with the likes of Congressman Smith, people who approach the discussion with good will and take the time to consider facts on both sides.

Source: A Blog About Hungary by Ferenc Kumin