Declaration of the Council of the Alliance’s Representatives regarding the conviction of State Secretary Attila MARKO

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania reacts with indignation and surprise to the fact that State Secretary Attila MARKO has been convicted at first instance to serve a 3 year imprisonment sentence.

The National Anticorruption Directorate has started proceedings for allegations of abuse against the public interest in the case of the retrocession of the Székely Mikó College building. We firmly condemn the criminal proceedings started against Attila MARKO and consider the decision taken at first instance to be unfair.

Since it’s very establishment, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania (DAHR) has fought for the retrocession of the church’s confiscated and nationalized real estate. At the moment, due to the efforts undertaken by the Alliance, several buildings previously owned by the church have been returned to their rightful owner. In spite of this, the process of retrocedings is far from being finalized. From 1990 on, DAHR dignitaries have been taking action to achieve this goal. This is exactly what Attila MARKO has also done. During his political activity, he has contributed to the retrocession of over 1000 buildings that had formerly been nationalized. By the current first instance court decision, not only State Secretary Attila MARKO is being harassed, but also the building of the Székely Mikó College is being renationalized, while the Calvinist Church is forced to pay a compensation of 1.1 million RON to the Romanian state. Thus the very principles of the rule of law are being despised with great contempt. We consider to be witness to one of the most nefarious attacks against the ethnic Hungarian community in Transylvania.

Furthermore, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania considers that it is outrageous and unacceptable that a responsible politician, who has fulfilled his duties taking into account the interests of the ethnic Hungarian community of Romania and those of the Alliance, should be compromised in such a dishonest manner. Also, we consider that it is outrageous that the Romanian justice goes back in time and calls upon the darkest communist era as it decides to renationalize a building owned by the church.

Being aware of the importance of cooperation in the framework of a common action plan, the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania and the historical ethnic Hungarian churches of Transylvania, have taken action together, in a permanent dialogue through the last 22 years in favor of the retrocession of the properties confiscated from the churches. Thus, the historical ethnic Hungarian churches in Romania have requested - based on the legislation in force - the retrocession of nearly 1700 nationalized buildings. In case of about two thirds of these requests, the rulings have been favorable – about 1000 buildings being thus returned.

The Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania supports Attila MARKO, as well as the other two accused persons: Tamas MAROSAN and Silviu CLIM. The DAHR takes position in favor of them, being convinced that the accusations made against them are unfounded and hoping that this unfolding political trial will soon be closed. The DAHR considers that in the case of Attila MARKO we are in fact confronted with a witch-hunt, a malicious harassment directed obviously also against those who represent the interests of the ethnic Hungarian community in Romania.

We assure those affected by this case of retrocession, as well as the public opinion, that the Democratic Alliance of Hungarians in Romania, will do everything it can to make the issue of the Miko trial known to the most important international bodies. Furthermore, we call upon the churches, the civil society and the ethnic Hungarian community in Romania to express its civic solidarity.