Hungary: 1) What is Hungary's policy today on emigration and repatriation? 2) What is the attitude toward the west and western economic systems? 3) When will elections take place and on what basis?
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1990 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | HUN4167 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Hungary: 1) What is Hungary's policy today on emigration and repatriation? 2) What is the attitude toward the west and western economic systems? 3) When will elections take place and on what basis?, 1 February 1990, HUN4167, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acb42b.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
1) On 26 and 27 September 1989, the Hungarian National Assembly enacted a new law on foreign travel and emigration which makes it "a fundamental right of Hungarian citizens to choose their place of residence freely, to emigrate from Hungary and to return there." [ Edith Oltay, "Hungarian National Assembly's Liberalization of Emigration Laws and Granting of More Civil Rights", Radio Free Europe Research, 21 December 1989, p. 2.] The law, which came into effect 1 January 1990, restricts emigration only for those who owe taxes, are awaiting trial on criminal charges or are serving a prison sentence, are incapacitated or have responsibility for a person who is incapacitated, are of draft age and do not have approval of the minister of defence for emigration, or have possession of state secrets. [ Excerpt from External Affairs telegram, 4 December 1989, p. 3.] There is no longer a time limit on a citizen's stay abroad. [ Oltay, p. 2.]
2) Hungary has become increasingly open to the west over the past year. [ Alfred Reisch, "Hungary in 1989: A Country in Transition", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 1, 5 January 1990, p. 21. See also, Alfred Reisch, "New Foreign Policy Emphasis on Opening Up and National Interests", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990, pp.14-17.] The new constitution was amended to define the economic system as "a market economy that also makes use of the advantages of economic planning, and in which public and private property are equal and receive equal protection." [ Edith Oltay, "Constitutional Amendments Strengthen Civil Rights, Pave Way for Multiparty System", Radio Free Europe Research, 30 November 1989, p. 6.] Hungary has been receiving economic assistance from the OECD, West Germany and the USA. [ This economic assistance is discussed in depth in: Karoly Okolicsanyi, "Western Economic Help and Hungary's Credit Needs", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990, pp. 18-20.] According to The New York Times, the $US20 billion debt is eating up most export earnings and Hungary faces higher unemployment and prices. Foreign investment is needed in order to get the economy moving. [ "Up-to-the Minute Scores From the Revolution in the East Bloc", The New York Times, 18 February 1990.]
3) Hungary's first free multi-party national elections in over 40 years will take place on 25 March 1990. [ Alfred Reisch, "Cliffhanger Referendum Changes Political Timetable", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990, p. 12.] On 26 November 1989, Hungary conducted its first national referendum which came out marginally in favour of delaying the presidential elections until after the parliamentary elections. [ Ibid., p. 9.]
Hungary also has adopted a new electoral law, which combines proportional representation and electoral districts, and a law on political parties which, among other things, bans political organizations from places of work. [ A discussion of these new laws may be found in: Judith Pataki and Alfred Reisch, "National Assembly Adopts Electoral Law and Law on Political Parties", Radio Free Europe Research, 30 November 1989, pp. 9-11.]
PLEASE NOTE: The attached copy of Alan Ferguson, "Hungary May Face Rule By Short-Lived Coalitions", Toronto Star, 31 January 1990, which appeared in Mediascan is also illegible. It is the only copy currently available to the IRBDC.
ATTACHMENTS:
Edith Oltay, "Hungarian National Assembly's Liberalization of Emigration Laws and Granting of More Civil Rights", Radio Free Europe Research, 21 December 1989.
Excerpt from External Affairs telegram, 4 December 1989.
Alfred Reisch, "Hungary in 1989: A Country in Transition", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 1, 5 January 1990.
Alfred Reisch, "New Foreign Policy Emphasis on Opening Up and National Interests", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990.
Edith Oltay, "Constitutional Amendments Strengthen Civil Rights, Pave Way for Multiparty System", Radio Free Europe Research, 30 November 1989.
Karoly Okolicsanyi, "Western Economic Help and Hungary's Credit Needs", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990.
"Up-to-the Minute Scores From the Revolution in the East Bloc", The New York Times, 18 February 1990.
Alfred Reisch, "Cliffhanger Referendum Changes Political Timetable", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Report on Eastern Europe, Vol. 1, No. 2, 12 January 1990.
Judith Pataki and Alfred Reisch, "National Assembly Adopts Electoral Law and Law on Political Parties", Radio Free Europe Research, 30 November 1989.
Vladimir Sobell and Karoly Okolicsanyi, "The IMF's Negotiations with Hungary and Poland", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Vol. 1, No. 4, 26 January 1990.
Alan Ferguson, "Hungary May Face Rule By Short-Lived Coalitions", Toronto Star, 31 January 1990.
