Five years after shots were first fired at Galgagyörk and the series of murders which cost the lives of Roma people at nine different locations began, the trial of the murderers has come to an end at first instance and the court has issued its first instance verdict.
While accepting the fact that we must recognise that the complete truth has not been uncovered, this sentence strengthens my belief that no perpetrators of racist crimes can escape the law in Hungary, and especially savage murderers pay a worthy penalty for their deeds.
I trust that the sentence at first instance shall be reinforced at the second instance, and as a result everyone will finally understand: we must always stand by the victims. And this is not a question of minority or majority: this is a question of human dignity.
Zoltán Balog
Minister of Human Resources
During 2009, then President of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights, Minorities, Civil and Religious Affairs Zoltán Balog applied all means available to support the investigation and brought the attention of the public to the case in order to further its progress. Together with President of the Central Council of German Sinti and Roma Romani Rose, he backed support for the families of the victims of these murders.
Following the change of government in 2010, Mr Balog’s first decision as Minister of State for Social Inclusion was to provide HUF 8.5 million in funding to help the relatives of the victims solve their housing issues. The families were able to move to new accommodation, and accordingly leave behind their former, now empty homes standing as mementos of the murders.
To prevent hate-crimes of this nature occurring again, the Government has made amendments to make the relative provisions of the Criminal Code stricter, on the basis of which in Hungary no one can now illegally “patrol” in uniform causing concern and fear in others without legal consequences. The police keep special records on racist crimes.
The Hungarian Government does not tolerate that paramilitary or other groups designed to cause fear step up against other, ethnic or cultural social groups; this is a crime, and offenders and criminals shall be brought to justice through the power of the law.
Each year, Mr Balog participates in the ecumenical service held in memory of the victims and meets with their family members.
(Department of Press Relations and Communication)