Your report (Roma living in fear as armed militias terrify village with message of hate, 27 January) gave a vivid impression of degrading poverty – and sometimes fear. Last spring the village of Gyöngyöspata saw a dramatic manifestation of tendencies that had been allowed to build over a number of years. Hungary's government has made clear that it will not tolerate displays of racial hatred – it is acting to counter them and the conditions that give rise to them. Neither vigilantism, intimidation by individuals or groups, nor institutionalised racism can have any place in Hungary. We have tightened the law to ensure this, and shall not shrink from enforcing it. Events on the ground show our policies are working.
Several European countries are affected, however. Figures from the ERRC (referenced in your article) show that since January 2008 the number of violent incidents targeting Hungarian Roma is roughly equal to those in the Czech Republic and Slovakia combined – though the overall Hungarian Roma population is higher. The truly shocking aspect is Hungary's higher murder rate (nine) – six of these were committed by a single gang in 2008 and 2009. Four men are currently on trial. The last two to three years have shown a decline in violence.
When the current government entered office in 2010 it created the state secretariat for social inclusion, which seeks to improve the situation of the Roma through large-scale programmes. During Hungary's EU presidency last year it co-ordinated the EU-wide Roma framework strategy, the main aim of which is to offer the Roma and those in deep poverty the chance to work, access to education, and living conditions worthy of their dignity as humans and fellow citizens. Within the framework member states committed to drafting their own strategies, with all recognising Hungary's positive role. We were the first to submit one. Several states have asked our secretariat for advice. Across Europe there is much to do, but in Hungary at least the work has started.
Zoltán Kovács
Minister of state for government communication, Hungary