Poznan, 7 May 2013
We, members of the academic community assembled in the Academic Civic Clubs (AKO) want to express our solidarity with the Hungarian intellectuals – signatories of the open letter “To Europe’s citizens”. We fully support the letter – both its dramatic form and the painful accuracy with which it depicts the present situation of Hungary.
We admire our Hungarian brethren for their determination and courage in the restoration of the Christian values, which we also cherish and which, we feel, are similarly threatened in our country.
We strongly condemn and express our protest against the slander campaign directed at Hungary. The vilification of today’s Hungary consists in misleading the public opinion with falsehood and lies depicting the nonexistent threats to democracy, and in propagating fear about the coalition parties ruling Hungary today. This coalition, it must be remembered, was democratically elected in a landslide victory in 2010. Many journalists, also those from public media, conceal the preeminent fact that the present government has rescued the country from its dire economic predicament and massive unemployment that were physically threatening the existence of the Hungarian nation. Among the critics and hostile reviewers of the government there are individuals directly responsible for bringing Hungary to the brink of economic collapse. It is deplorable that when they were in power, there was no condemnation of their irresponsible policies from European governments, EU agencies or the European Commission.
Not only journalists, but also the European Commission does take actions which are an intrusion into the realm of ethical and moral principles – something the Commission is neither authorised nor competent to do. Justifying such actions by the alleged violations by the Hungarian authorities of tolerance or European values is not corroborated by facts. Building the life of a nation on the foundation of Christianity is a guarantee of highest possible standards in the work of both the government and the parliament, while hard work, fair democracy, national independence, tolerance and mutual understanding are capable of miraculous things. It is Christianity that two thousand years of European tradition and law making are based upon and that provides the best possible model for the shaping of relations between people.
Following our Hungarian brothers and sisters, we hereby appeal for the content of their letter to be publicised and witness be given to the truth. The current actions by journalists, agencies of European governments and of the European Commission not only paint a false picture, but may also – as pointed out in the Hungarian open letter – be a threat to the independence and sovereignty of a free nation. Indeed, they are a danger to the foundations of the European Union and European civilisation as such, undermining their cultural, social and economic cohesion and jeopardising the course of European integration.
The great effort made by the Hungarian society to resolve their social and economic problems should win them respect and trust and be supported by people of good will all over the world. We heartily congratulate our Hungarian brothers and sisters on their success to date, their empowerment and struggle. We wish them courage and perseverance in the implementation of the values they share in public life.
We also wish you, our Hungarian brothers and sisters, an active support from free European nations of your praiseworthy endeavours to develop your country and make it a better place.
May you be successful and victorious!
AKO Chairman
Professor Stanisław Mikołajczak
Signed by members of President Lech Kaczynski Academic Civic Clubs in Poznań, Kraków, Warszawa, and Łódź