Language ban in Slovakia

[Jolt]

This is clearly a discriminatory policy with the intention of attempting to assimilate the Hungarian minority to the Slovak culture/language. This measure, coupled with the denial of entry of the Hungarian president into Slovakia, is an extremely worrying development of discrimination which is against everything which the European Union stands for. (Diversity and non-discrimination)

I suppose using the same modus operandi of Slovakia, we in Portugal will henceforth prevent the Spanish Kings from entrying Portugal, likewise Austria preventing the German leaders from visiting the country and so on. Can you imagine that?

[Sarmatian]

I think this is incorrectly represented by BBC. Slovakia can't pass a law that isn't in agreement with EU standards.

I'd also go as far as to say that Hungarians probably still have a right to use their language regionally, but if they move to Bratislava or whatever other region, they have to use Slovakian for official purposes. It doesn't apply to tourists and foreigners either.

This is really without reading anything on the issue, just a gut feeling that someone didn't do his homework properly before writing an article

This is clearly a discriminatory policy with the intention of attempting to assimilate the Hungarian minority to the Slovak culture/language. This measure, coupled with the denial of entry of the Hungarian president into Slovakia, is an extremely worrying development of discrimination which is against everything which the European Union stands for. (Diversity and non-discrimination)

Actually, that Hungarian president is well known for his overly nationalistic public statements where he talks about incorporating into Hungary all lands that were once part of the Kingdom of Hungary and similar rubbish. He also tends to arrange official visits to more radically inclined Hungarian nationalistic parties in other countries without agreement with the government or the president of the country in question.

He was barred from Serbia and one other country, IIRC, for the exact same reason. That's a terrible breach of all diplomatic protocols...

with a Balkan nation again.

There should be a rule about a minimum geographical knowledge before traditional Balkan Bashing begins. Neither Hungary nor Slovakia are in the Balkans with even 0,01% of their territory.

[Mithrandir]

What about the tourists?

[Strike For The South]

You dont win over minorities by banning there language. You win over minorities by expousing there kids to Hannah Montana, the Dallas Cowboys, and flour tortillias.

[Kadagar_AV]

What about the tourists?

What about reading the thread before responding?

I know I already answered this twice, and so have others.

*they just dont make moderators like they used to*

[Mithrandir]

But what about the tourists?

[LeftEyeNine]

I understand but I still don't see what tourists could do, say, in a situation where it is a very difficult situation.

[Sarmatian]

It doesn't affect tourists, it doesn't affect foreigners.

[Sarmatian]

.
Slovakia pass an act banning any language but Slovakian in public places and restricting the use of minority languages elsewhere too. Practically it's the Hungarians with their 10% population who will be effected most severely, and Gypsies. Those are details in my POV and any ban against any language I cannot regard human-like.

Even Turkey is getting ahead of this Incompatible language steadily. It is really hard for me to restrain myself within the rules and find suitable words for this kind of zombie fascism.

One article here, more can be looked up.
.

I think this is incorrectly represented by BBC.
This is really without reading anything on the issue, just a gut feeling that someone didn't do his homework properly before writing an article

Why am I not surprised...

Irish Times

About 7,000 people marched in the town of Dunajska Streda, close to Slovakia’s border with Hungary, in opposition to a law which stipulates that only the Slovak language can be used in most public offices and institutions, with repeat offenders threatened with a €5,000 fine.

The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has said the law respects minority rights, but Hungarians denounced it as the latest act of discrimination from a ruling coalition that includes the far-right Slovak National Party. Its leader, Jan Slota, is known for his fiery rhetoric against Budapest, which ruled the territory of modern-day Slovakia until Austria-Hungary was broken up after the first World War.

Euro News

The new law has stoked already heated tensions between the two countries – only last week the Slovaks told Hungary’s president he was not welcome to enter the country on a personal trip to unveil a statute of a Hungarian hero.

Although both languages are recognised in in some areas of Slovak life,

[Rhyfelwyr]

Why are some people talking about Slovakia and others about Slovenia?

[Gregoshi]

Why are some people talking about Slovakia and others about Slovenia?

They should Czech their posts more carefully.

[Adrian II]

They should Czech their posts more carefully.

Slovenes are just as power-Hungary.

[Mithrandir]

They should Czech their posts more carefully.

Before they Finnish them?

So... W.A.T.T. ?

[Major Robert Dump]

Tourists in Slovakia? LAWL

[Adrian II]

What about the tourists?

No problem. The Hungarians, Gypsies and other minorities have all been declared tourists. The minister for Tourism is expecting a huge peak this year.

[LeftEyeNine]

This whole tourist issue is giving me insomnia. :/

[Idaho]

There should be a rule about a minimum geographical knowledge before traditional Balkan Bashing begins.

Surely the rule is that you have to be another Balkan state/prinicpality/ethnic group before bashing your fellow Balkan?