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Kusý, Miroslav
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2 articles of this author have been cited in the European Press Review so far.
Language law paints picture of ethnically pure Slovakia
Slovakia has published the implementing regulations for its new official language law, which foresees heavy fines for infringements of the law. Ethnic Hungarians feel the law puts them at a disadvantage because it forces them to speak Slovakian when communicating with authorities. This prompts political scientist Miroslav Kusý to launch an attack against the law in the liberal daily Sme: "The law is bad to start with because it declares the language state property, an object for government regulation and which can thus be used to harass citizens. It would be well suited to a totalitarian society but has no place in a modern society. ... Slovakia is the political community of all its citizens ..., not just a language community of Slovakian-speaking people or an ethnic community made up solely of Slovakians. There are ethnic Hungarians and Ruthenians as well as ethnic Slovakians."
» full article (external link, Slovak)
More from the press review on the subject » Domestic Policy, » Public Culture, » EU neighbourhood policy, » Languages, » Slovakia
Miroslav Kusý on the Hungarian-Slovak dispute over the Beneš decrees
Last week the Slovakian parliament voted by a large majority to have the post-war decrees passed by former Czechoslovakian President Edvard Beneš declared inviolable. On the basis of these decrees, Hungarians and Sudeten Germans living in the country after the war were first deprived of their rights and property and then partly expelled from the country... In an interview with Renata Havranová, Slovak political scientist Miroslav Kusý describes the step as a great mistake: "In my opinion the negative reactions of the Hungarians are justified. It is inappropriate to revive this old spirit in the 21st century. Václav Havel apologised in the Czechs' name to the Germans. We have never done this regarding Hungary, yet the two cases are very similar. Naturally the parliamentary decision will have a negative impact on bilateral relations, which are already poor. The Slovaks should apologise to the Hungarians."
» full article (external link, Czech)
More from the press review on the subject » International Relations, » History, » Hungary, » Czech Republic, » Slovakia
All available articles from » Renata Havranová
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