“In that way government and opposition can present a common front against anti-Semitic and anti-Roma demagoguery. Fidesz has done excellent work in the fight against anti-Semitic and anti-Roma hate, and I welcome Prime Minister Orban’s statement that in this election Hungarian voters said no to hatred.” (Full text available below.)
 
Representative Smith, who has been dealing with human rights issues for 33 years and serves as co-chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, often referred to as the US Helsinki Commission, as well as co-chairman of the Bi-Partisan Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism, is not alone.

Congressman Dennis Ross of Florida also congratulated the prime minister, saying that it is “important to recognize that this is the first election that all Hungarian citizens living outside of Hungary could also participate in the electoral process…It is wonderful that those who still retain their Hungarian identity have the ability to remain involved in this democratic process.” (Full text available here)

Over the past few days our office has received many other messages like this, including from President of the European People’s Party Joseph Daul, representatives of multinational companies like E.ON and leaders of Jewish organizations like MAZSIHISZ and the Orthodox Congregation in Los Angeles.

The prime minister was congratulated by many from Europe’s other political side as well, although, for the first time ever in Hungary’s democratic history, the Hungarian socialist-liberal opposition leader refused to do so. The Socialist president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, the Socialist prime minister of Slovakia, and the Social Democratic president of the Czech Republic passed on good wishes.

Here’s Congressman Smith’s full press release:

Chairman Smith: Orban Victory a Win for Democracy and Human Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House panel that oversees international human rights, congratulated re-elected Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on his decisive victory.

“The re-elected government of Prime Minister Orban and Fidesz has met many challenges over the past four years, including passage of a constitution which caps public debt and advances human rights by prohibiting cloning and human trafficking and promoting human life and dignity,” said Smith, who was in Hungary on congressional delegation in July of 2013.

“I urge the opposition to participate actively in the legislative process and not to poison the wells by misrepresenting Hungary’s electoral process. In that way government and opposition can present a common front against anti-Semitic and anti-Roma demagoguery. Fidesz has done excellent work in the fight against anti-Semitic and anti-Roma hate, and I welcome Prime Minister Orban’s statement that in this election Hungarian voters said no to hatred.”

Smith serves as Co-Chairman of the Bi-Partisan Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism, as well as a member of the Steering Committee of the Interparliamentary Coalition for Combating Anti-Semitism. In February 2013, he chaired a hearing on anti-Semitism which included a focus on anti-Semitism in Hungarian society and Hungarian government efforts to fight anti-Semitism. In March 2013 he issued a statement on “The Trajectory of Democracy: Why Hungary Matters.” When in Hungary in July 2013, Smith met with Hungarian President Viktor Orban, other Hungarian officials, and NGO representatives.

Smith, the Co-Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, is the author of laws and resolutions promoting democracy and human rights in countries as diverse as Belarus, Cuba, China, Northern Ireland, the Soviet Union, Vietnam, Romania, Bosnia, and Moldova, and on issues including human trafficking, combating anti-Semitism, religious freedom, genocide, relief of torture victims, police reform, political prisoners, intercountry adoption, forced labor, right of emigration for refuseniks, and property restitution. He ranks fourth among all 435 Members of the House in the number of bills successfully turned into law.

By Fernc Kumin

Source: A Blog About Hungary

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