Post by yeni on Feb 2, 2009 13:06:55 GMT -5
www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/article/11/miskolc_poli/?cHash=78a96d3f2a
Miskolc police chief sacked, reinstated over Roma crime comments
By: All Hungary News
2009-02-02 11:49
Miskolc police chief Albert Pásztor was fired and almost immediately reinstated over the weekend after making controversial statements on Roma crime. The backlash and counter-backlash was sparked when he cited police statistics that all burglaries in the northeastern city in December and January were "committed by people of a Gypsy origin" in a Friday press conference. He was removed from his post by Justice Minister Tibor Draskovics the following day, only to be reinstated on Sunday following a hail of protest and an investigation by national police chief József Bencze that found the statements did not violate human rights.
Pásztor had told journalists that Miskolc had more burglaries than any other city in Hungary, and that crime in general was becoming more brutal. Although he refused to mention the buzzwords "Gypsy crime" explicitly, he did say that all the burglaries in his district were committed by Roma in December and January. When challenged on the basis for this statement by SZDSZ deputy leader Péter Gusztus, he said that although no police records were kept on race and beliefs, any suspects may provide this information voluntarily. Demographic data is not officially included in the files, but may be used in a criminal procedure. The story gained national coverage, forcing the Justice Minister to act.
However, in a dramatic twist, Pásztor received widespread backing in the local community, with Socialist Mayor Sándor Kali and representatives of Fidesz-KDNP coming out in favor of the police chief. An estimated 1,500 people also demonstrated Miskolc's main square in support of Pásztor. Although the protest was peaceful, MTI reported that many of the demonstrators were wearing clothing associated with nationalist paramilitary organization Magyar Garda.
Draskovics restored the police chief to his position on Sunday in response to the police chief's widespread backing.
The U-turn on the Pásztor's dismissal highlights the continued sensitivity of the "Gypsy crime" issue, particularly in Eastern Hungary, where locals see it as a key issue that cannot be swept under the carpet in the name of political correctness.
Miskolc police chief sacked, reinstated over Roma crime comments
By: All Hungary News
2009-02-02 11:49
Miskolc police chief Albert Pásztor was fired and almost immediately reinstated over the weekend after making controversial statements on Roma crime. The backlash and counter-backlash was sparked when he cited police statistics that all burglaries in the northeastern city in December and January were "committed by people of a Gypsy origin" in a Friday press conference. He was removed from his post by Justice Minister Tibor Draskovics the following day, only to be reinstated on Sunday following a hail of protest and an investigation by national police chief József Bencze that found the statements did not violate human rights.
Pásztor had told journalists that Miskolc had more burglaries than any other city in Hungary, and that crime in general was becoming more brutal. Although he refused to mention the buzzwords "Gypsy crime" explicitly, he did say that all the burglaries in his district were committed by Roma in December and January. When challenged on the basis for this statement by SZDSZ deputy leader Péter Gusztus, he said that although no police records were kept on race and beliefs, any suspects may provide this information voluntarily. Demographic data is not officially included in the files, but may be used in a criminal procedure. The story gained national coverage, forcing the Justice Minister to act.
However, in a dramatic twist, Pásztor received widespread backing in the local community, with Socialist Mayor Sándor Kali and representatives of Fidesz-KDNP coming out in favor of the police chief. An estimated 1,500 people also demonstrated Miskolc's main square in support of Pásztor. Although the protest was peaceful, MTI reported that many of the demonstrators were wearing clothing associated with nationalist paramilitary organization Magyar Garda.
Draskovics restored the police chief to his position on Sunday in response to the police chief's widespread backing.
The U-turn on the Pásztor's dismissal highlights the continued sensitivity of the "Gypsy crime" issue, particularly in Eastern Hungary, where locals see it as a key issue that cannot be swept under the carpet in the name of political correctness.