Hungary is new hot spot on migrant route into EU - Part 2

Ah! Good find, LL!

bb1 wrote:Ah! Good find, LL!

Nicked from the Wikipedia section on Juncker! He is a typical small country would-be world leader. I do not belittle Luxembourg, a very small but pretty country, by the way. LL

I've said before, Juncker and other EU leaders remind me of the Bourbons. Not only don't they learn from their mistakes, they can't even admit that they have made mistakes. They're so arrogant, they seem blind to the growing disaster they're causing.

Hungary’s Assault on Freedom.    
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/07/opinion/hungarys-assault-on-freedom.html

After muzzling a free press and shutting down civil society groups, the government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary has trained its repressive sights on academic freedom. On Tuesday, the Parliament approved legislation designed to shut down Central European University, a private Hungarian-American graduate institution that has programs ranked among the top 50 in the world. The measure would require the university to set up a campus in the United States, making it impossible for Central European University to operate. The legislation now goes to President Janos Ader for his signature.

This move is yet another rebuke to the European Union, and the rights it guarantees all citizens, from the increasingly autocratic Mr. Orban. It is also an ugly attack against the liberal Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros.  Mr. Soros, who has spent some $12 billion through his Open Society Foundations to promote a liberal political and social agenda throughout the world, has become a lightning rod for resentment by Central and Eastern European populists intent on wresting their countries away from democracy.

Central European University was founded in 1991 with a generous grant from Mr. Soros. In his weekly interview on Hungarian state radio last Friday, Mr. Orban preposterously called the respected university a “fraud,” and he added a clear jibe at Mr. Soros, saying, “In Hungary, one cannot be above the law — even if you’re a billionaire.” Mr. Orban may believe making a boogeyman out of Mr. Soros, a Holocaust survivor, will help his party win next year’s parliamentary elections by fanning loathsome anti-Semitic and xenophobic fears, but killing off one of Hungary’s most important educational institutions is a spectacularly self-defeating move. Thousands of Hungarians have turned out to protest the legislation.

In a statement after Tuesday’s vote, David Kostelancik of the American Embassy in Budapest called the university “an important component of the U.S.-Hungarian relationship for 26 years” and vowed that the “United States will continue to advocate for its independence and unhindered operation in Hungary.” Michael Ignatieff, rector and president of Central European University, vowed the university will fight on. “We’ve done nothing wrong,” he said.

It now falls to the European Union, which has responded to Mr. Orban’s attacks on fundamental freedoms with weak verbal protests while continuing to send billions of euros in aid, to salvage what is left of its credibility on citizens’ rights, and take strong action to uphold the union’s core values against attack by a member state. For the sake of democracy and freedom of inquiry in Hungary, Mr. Ader should not sign this dangerously self-destructive legislation into law.

Mr. Orban may believe making a boogeyman out of Mr. Soros, a Holocaust survivor

Someone needs to tell them the scumbag wasn't a 'survivor', he was a collaborator that made money out of the Holocaust.

That is the New York Times.  So ultra liberal that they can only turn right......

Hungary: Showdown of 'illiberal state' vs. 'open society'.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's effort to close Central European University, founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros in 1991, is another step in Prime Minister Viktor Orban's plan to transform his country into an "illiberal state," a narrower view of democracy which contrasts with the "open society" ideals promoted globally by Soros.

A law rushed through parliament on Tuesday sets new conditions for the 28 foreign universities operating in Hungary. Some of the requirements — such as carrying out teaching activities in their home countries — are seen specifically targeting CEU, which does not have an American campus. CEU is accredited in New York state and Hungary and its students can obtain diplomas accepted both locally and the United States. Orban says CEU is "cheating" by issuing two diplomas, giving it an unfair advantage over other local universities.

Hungary is demanding a binding, bilateral agreement with the U.S. government on CEU and another one with New York state. Thousands attended two rallies against the law targeting CEU in the past days, while a third protest on Sunday attracted some 70,000 people, the largest anti-government march in years.  More at link.

https://www.mail.com/int/news/us/5102760-hungary-showdown-illiberal-state-vs-open-society.html#.1258-stage-hero1-4

Hungary: Thousands rally in support of Soros-founded school.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Some 70,000 people rallied in Budapest Sunday in support of a local university founded by American billionaire George Soros that is seen as a target for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's illiberal policies.

The Hungarian-born Soros founded Central European University in 1991. Amendments to Hungary's higher education law approved this week could force it to close or move. The law, rushed through Parliament in less than a week, would require CEU to change its name and open a campus in the United States. It also calls for binding agreements about the university between Hungary and the United States.

CEU is accredited in New York state and in Hungary and students can earn degrees valid in both countries. The university currently enrolls over 1,400 students from 108 countries. The U.S. State Department has expressed its concerns about the legislation and CEU's ability to continue operating in Hungary. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Hoyt Yee will be in Budapest on Monday to meet with government officials, in part to discuss CEU. Yee is also expected to meet with authorities from the university.

Protesters filling Kossuth Square outside Parliament said they want President Janos Ader to veto the legislation. It was the largest anti-government protest in years. Ader, from Orban's governing Fidesz party, was re-elected by lawmakers for a five-year term in March.

https://www.mail.com/int/news/europe/5103274-hungary-thousands-rally-support-soros-founded-scho.html#.1258-stage-hero1-11

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/10/un-urges-eu-stop-sending-migrants-hungary/

UN Urges EU to Stop Sending Migrants to Hungary

Good news for Hungary.

About time too.

Hungary's president signs bill aimed at Soros-founded school.

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's president on Monday signed amendments to the country's higher education law that could force a Budapest university founded by billionaire American philanthropist George Soros to close or move.

Central European University has vowed to challenge the legislation and to remain in Budapest despite invitations to possibly relocate from cities in Lithuania and Poland. President Janos Ader said in a statement that the bill setting new conditions for foreign universities in Hungary was in line with the Constitution and did not infringe upon academic freedoms.

However, Ader acknowledged that the fast-track approval of the law and some of the new conditions "provoked antipathy in many people." About 70,000 people rallied in support of CEU on Sunday, calling on Ader to refrain from signing the legislation approved last Tuesday. It was the third rally in eight days in support of the university, which enrolls over 1,400 students from 108 countries.

Ader called on the government to "immediately" begin talks with affected institutions to secure compliance with the new rules. One new stipulation demands bilateral agreements with the home countries of universities from outside the European Union within six months, while another would require schools to establish campuses in their home countries by the end of the year.

For CEU, Hungary is demanding bilateral agreements with the United States and the state of New York, where the school is accredited, but does not have a campus. The bill was approved by lawmakers from Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party and their Christian Democrat allies last week.

Orban considers the Hungarian-born Soros an ideological foe whose "open society" ideals contrast with Orban's plan to make Hungary an "illiberal state." Orban has accused the billionaire of trying to influence Hungarian politics through his support of non-governmental groups like Transparency International and of working against Hungary's interests by supporting refugees and migrants.

Opposition parties were quick to criticize Ader, a Fidesz politician who was re-elected to a five-year term in March. "Ader today proved that he is not suited to be the president of the republic because he is incapable of recognizing the nation's interests and cannot express the unity of the nation," the Socialist Party said.

Momentum Movement, a new opposition party whose campaign recently led Budapest to abandon its bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, said Ader was "hiding behind laws" and more interested in keeping his job than challenging the legislation.

So, Hungary is chopping off Soros' tentacles, and is also a no-go zone for 'refugees'? Sounds like a good result to me.....

I wish Soros would be a no-go zone everywhere.......

Berlin halts refugee transfers to Hungary over conditions
Germany said Tuesday it is refraining from transferring asylum seekers to Hungary under EU rules until Budapest gives assurances that the migrants would not be systematically detained. Under the Dublin rules, asylum seekers are meant to be sent back to the first European country they registered in. The UN and rights groups have urged EU nations to suspend transfers to Hungary after Budapest introduced a law in March to detain all asylum seekers. Germany had initially waived Dublin rules for Syrian refugees at the height of the migrant influx in 2015. (AFP)

Well done, Hungary! Now that's Winning!

EU launches probe of Hungarian education law

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's executive arm questioned Hungary's commitment to the bloc's fundamental values Wednesday as it launched an investigation of a new law which is widely seen in Europe as targeting a Bucharest university founded by billionaire George Soros.

EU Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said the investigation of Hungary's amended higher education law would be completed "as soon as possible" and that the commission would consider possible next steps by the end of April.

The probe will look into whether the new law conflicts with EU rules and could apply to other European universities, Timmermans said. It would also examine whether it is compatible with EU principles on the free movement of services and respects the bloc's rules governing the admission of researchers from outside Europe.

The action illustrates the EU's growing frustration with the seven-year rule of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who increasingly has pursued policies that fly in the face of EU ideals. "Where do you want to be in this European Union?" asked Timmermans, confounded by Orban's signature at a summit two weeks ago on a pledge to work for a united EU and promotion since then of a national voter questionnaire with the motto "Let's Stop Brussels." More at link.

https://www.mail.com/int/news/europe/5110354-eu-launches-probe-hungarian-education-law.html#.1258-stage-hero1-4

Hungarians in Budapest protest govt's 'illiberal' policies

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of Hungarians are attending a protest dubbed "We won't stay silent" against government policies seen as stifling academic freedom and intimidating civic groups. The protesters on Saturday brought dance music, whistles, horns and loud jeering to fill Freedom Square in downtown Budapest, home to emblematic landmarks like a Soviet war memorial, a statue of Ronald Reagan and the U.S. Embassy.

People gather in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, April 15, 2017, to oppose government policies that are seen as limiting academic freedom and intimidating civic groups that receive foreign funding.

Actor Simon Szabo told the crowd Saturday "no one can stay silent today. No one can silence us." The rally followed similar protests over the past two weeks provoked by legal amendments seen targeting the Central European University, founded by billionaire George Soros, considered an ideological foe by Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Another draft bill would force some civic groups to declare foreign funding or face fines or closure.

Another draft bill would force some civic groups to declare foreign funding or face fines or closure.

NGOs are an absolute curse, IMO, they stir up trouble wherever they go.

Hungary remembers Holocaust victims amid calls for tolerance

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of Hungarians have taken part in a march remembering the 550,000 Hungarian Jews who died during the Holocaust. The March of the Living on Sunday was held on Hungary's national Holocaust Memorial Day, which marks the mass detention and deportation of Hungary's Jews in 1944.

Participants of the March of the Living, which commemorates the victims of the Holocaust, cross the River Danube on Chain Bridge in downtown Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, April 16, 2017. The annual event marks the 73rd anniversary of the beginning of the Hungarian holocaust, during which some 600 thousand Jewish Hungarians were deported to Nazi death camps.

Speakers called for tolerance and facing up to the truth. Hungarian Jewish writer Gabor Szanto said: "No nation bears collective guilt for the past, but we all have a personal responsibility for the present and the future."

This was the 15th year the march has been held. Near the end of the event, amateur runner Peter Hajdu began an eight-day run covering 420 kilometers (260 miles) to Auschwitz, Poland. Many of Hungary's Jews who died during the Holocaust perished at the Nazi death camp in Auschwitz.

An especially horrible, sadistic event, at a time of many horrible events.

Hungary: Opposition seeks repeal of law about US university

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) 21 April 2017 — Opposition lawmakers in Hungary are asking the Constitutional Court to repeal legal amendments they say target Central European University, founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

Bernadett Szel, a lawmaker from the green party Politics Can Be Different, shows a copy of an appeal she presented to the Constitutional Court outside the court's headquarters on Friday, April 21, 2017. Szel and other opposition lawmakers are seeking the repeal of amendments to the law on higher education they say seeks to shut down Budapest-based Central European University, founded by billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

The appeal filed Friday seeks to strike down changes to the law on higher education passed two weeks ago and said by critics to limit academic freedom. Prime Minister Viktor Orban says CEU is "cheating" because it issues diplomas accepted both in the United States — where it is accredited in New York state but has no campus — and in Hungary, where it has been operating since shortly after its 1991 foundation.

The dispute about CEU is part of a wider government campaign against Soros, who Orban says is working against Hungarian interests because of his support for migration, which Orban staunchly opposes.

Oh, Greens, that explains it.

I don’t recognise Viktor Orbán as a ‘tyrant’.
Tibor Fischer, The Guardian

The western media’s portrait of the Hungarian leader as an enemy of democracy and an antisemite isn’t just puzzling, it’s disgusting.

The possible closure of the Central European University in Budapest has unleashed waves of denunciations directed at the Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, in western media. Orbán has been accused of leading an “assault on freedom” in the New York Times, while one Guardian writer has summoned up the spectre of Munich 1938.

Let’s go over a few facts many west of Vienna seem unable to understand. Hungary is a democracy. It has a wide range of political parties (a lot more than, say, the US, which is only one party away from being a one-party state). It has free and fair elections. It has a parliament that passes legislation. The quality of legislation can vary greatly, as in any democracy, but like most legal matters that is a matter of keen debate. If citizens are unhappy about the legislation, they hold demonstrations, as they have been doing.

Orbán has aroused a lot of ire with his talk of “illiberal democracy”. I would like to underline the word democracy in that formula, which tends to get overlooked in the frothing of his critics. It should also be noted that in current Hungarian political usage “liberal” doesn’t have the connotations of “civilised”, “enlightened” or “generous”, it’s a portmanteau for leftwing conventions. I accept that an anti-left stance isn’t going to win Orbán fans among the Guardian’s readers, but I trust they might be willing to accept that someone who has a different opinion isn’t automatically wearing jackboots.

I find the criticism that Hungary no longer has a pluralistic media especially puzzling. That’s a harsh judgment on a country: the sort of judgment that requires evidence. I always find it interesting how people who don’t speak Hungarian feel entitled to accuse Orbán of “muzzling the press”.

For the benefit of those who have no Hungarian, I can give you a long list of television, radio, print and internet outlets that are not only prepared to be critical of Orbán, but devote themselves exclusively to trashing him. Indeed some of the criticism and satire is of a savagery rarely seen in Britain – it has to be conceded there’s very little adult debate when it comes to politics in Hungary.

If I want to know what’s going on in Hungary I check www.index.hu, which is fairly balanced, but enjoys needling the government. If I want some tabloid fun, I go to www.444.hu, which is unrepentantly anti-Orbán. Anyone with a phone can have access to “clean” news or denunciations of the prime minister if they want.

Orbán has also been condemned for his treatment of migrants. Some see his detention of the people flooding in over the border as unreasonable. It might not be the ideal solution, but unlike the EU – which is sitting on its arse in bewilderment – Orbán is actually doing something. I am the son of refugees and I can assure you that if my parents had been detained when they arrived in Britain in 1956, in safety and with regular meals, while matters were sorted out, they wouldn’t have complained: they would have said “thank you”.

The most disgusting accusation made against Orbán is that of antisemitism – as George Soros, the billionaire behind the Central European University, is Jewish. Orbán is the man who introduced Holocaust education into schools, passed a Holocaust denial law and whose government financed Son of Saul, a film about Auschwitz that won an Oscar.

The amendment to the law on higher education that has caused the recent furore affects 28 foreign institutions in Hungary, 27 of which were found to be operating with “irregularities” (largely sloppy paperwork, something that will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with university admin). None has been fined or shut down.

Many, probably most, academics at Hungarian universities disapprove of the amendment, which they feel is bad for research, but the Central European University is not being singled out for punishment: it’s asking to be given privileged treatment.

This is not simply about freedom of speech or independence of scholarship. The CEU is legally a Hungarian university. Under the amendment the same buildings, the same canteen, the same umbrella stands, the same courses, the same bitching about Orbán and his wickedness can continue, and students can get a qualification recognised in Europe. The government can’t touch them.

What can’t continue, without a new deal, is the practice whereby the CEU can also issue a diploma accredited in the US – it is registered in New York – without actually operating a campus. Until now, CEU students have been getting double bubble.

Obviously that was an attractive deal for students so, should the CEU lose that option, it will make the university less marketable. However, if it is so much the centre of excellence that its supporters claim it is, it should still be able to attract students. The issue is bums on seats and dollars as much as anything else.

I have followed the progress of this institution since its creation in 1991, and I know many of the staff. One of the salient themes it has been banging on about for nearly 30 years is the rule of law. Perhaps the CEU should adhere to its own principles and comply with the law. Then everyone can vote against Orbán next year.

This is an interesting view, much of which I agree with.    CEU does think it is above the law, but then so does its founder.     LL

I have one simple test, LL.

If you're on the same side as George Soros - you're the bad guys.

Humor, sarcasm at Hungarian anti-govt protest in Budapest



Supporters of the Hungarian satiricial Two-tailed Dog Party are carrying a flag depicting Russian president Vladimir Putin, right, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during their demonstration in Budapest, Hungary, Saturday, April 22, 2017. Thousands of Hungarians are attending the “peace march for the government and for Russia and against everything else”. (Balazs Mohai/MTI via AP)

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Thousands of Hungarians are attending a "peace march for the government, for Russia and against everything else" organized by the satiric Hungarian Two-Tailed Dog Party. Saturday's protest is a sarcastic take on current events in Hungary, like the government's close ties to Russia and its campaign against the pro-migration policies of billionaire George Soros.

The government's battle with Soros has resulted in legislation that could shut down the Soros-founded Central European University in Budapest. Firmly tongue in cheek, party leader Gergo Kovacs told marchers while it's good Hungary hasn't adopted the euro it's a shame that Hungarians can't use the ailing Russian ruble.

Other slogans of the march through downtown Budapest included "No more of that nonsense called democracy" and "Enough already with the EU stuffing the country with money."

Very civilised - that's the kind of demonstration I like, not these street battles!