Interview
&
Commentary
In a background discussion with German parliamentarians and stakeholders on April 2011 the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dr. János Martoni, spoke along other topics about the governments’ view on citizenship issues such as naturalisation, belonging and identity. Confronted with the possible illegality of the latest changes in Hungarians citizenship law, the Minister defends the governments’ position. He has a PhD in law and public administration and was already Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1998 to 2002. Until 2009 he was managing partner in the law firm Martonyi és Kajtár Baker & McKenzie in Budapest before he became a second time Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs science 2010.
Without going too deep into the debate, I’d like to address some basic facts on the latest developments of Hungarian citizenship, although they date back to last year.
The Hungarian law on national citizenship has always allowed people who do not live in Hungary to acquire Hungarian citizenship. This includes for example those who do not have their permanent residence in Hungary. Many other countries have similar legislation, so I do not share the opinion that national citizenship must be bound to residency.
Though the residency concept was predominant in the 1920s, the relation between residency and citizenship has changed since then: instead of having a physical territorial basis, a common cultural and linguistic foundation are crucial for citizenship acquisition today. In a fast-changing world, the importance of cultural belonging and identity is increasing.
We have to take into account that today millions of people live abroad and, for example, Indians, Hungarians, Pakistanis and Italians want to keep their national identity. This is the purpose of our citizenship law. Again, I repeat: before the latest modification of the citizenship law, around 15,000 to 20,000 Hungarians lived in Israel, as both Israeli and Hungarian citizens. At least 40,000 to 50,000 Hungarians live in the United States who have kept their Hungarian citizenship. This has always been the case and no one has complained before. Even the French president’s father has kept his Hungarian citizenship, even though he hasn’t lived in Hungary for a very long time. So this is all a natural, long-standing process.
The latest modification to the citizenship law only removed the unjust discrimination against Hungarian minorities living in neighbouring countries and, of course, for those Hungarians living around the world. Thus, all Hungarians who live in neighbouring countries as well as, for example, in Brazil, South Africa or Germany may apply for Hungarian citizenship as before, even though there are obstacles in countries that do not allow dual citizenship.
Therefore, I do not believe that our citizenship law violates any international agreements. It is not by accident that no one has appealed against it on the international level. Our neighbouring countries have accepted our law as they themselves have passed similar legislation. We only faced a minor dispute with Slovakia, which we will soon overcome. So I suggest that you leave such decisions up to us; we do not need external advice.
Concerning human rights, I believe that the acceptance of different cultural identities is especially congruent with different national citizenships. Therefore, it should be an individual’s decision to apply for citizenship. This is a very personal issue. I suspect that some will be interested in acquiring Hungarian citizenship, but can’t say how many will apply under the new law. To understand the human perspective of this issue, you should go to countries where Hungarian minorities live and ask people them what they think about their opportunity to acquire Hungarian citizenship. You will meet 80-year-olds who have successfully applied for citizenship and see their tears of joy. Just talk to them. Of course this is only a suggestion.
Tags: Interview