The ongoing dispute between Hungary and Slovakia over citizenship rights has produced another case where 99-year old Mrs. Aladar Tamas was deprived of her citizenship for requesting also Hungarian citizenship.
The woman’s family has therefore decided to turn to the European Court of Human Rights to rule on the illegality of the move by the Slovak state.
The case of the woman from Rimavska Sobota has been taken up for free by a lawyer with the Council of Human Dignity, and might also include her 66-year old daughter who is in the same predicament after requesting Hungarian citizenship last year.
~~~~I married a Slovak and lived in America wityh her for 4 years beofre deciding to move back to Slovakia to be closer to her family and to introduce my children to Slovak history and pride.~~~~
You lived in America, but you have Slovak blood running through your veins …and you married a Slovak girl ? What are you part of some grand experiment in genetics ?
As for Slovak History and Pride…what is that ? History , you have no real Slovak history as you were not a Country until 1992 and your history is all linked with Poland, Austria , Czech`s, Ukraine and dare I say, your former masters Hungary . Most of Slovak history is fairy story folk law , or glorious defeats in wars …as for Pride ….replace that word with Arrogance. For some reason we have a change backwards to a Government, a Socialist one after one year , because some stupid woman PM , placed her pride and non existent position within the leaders of the EU, by supporting some some bailout , over the good of the people that voted for her SDKU party .
Interesting read – I am almost speechless. On the other hand, I have lived in Slovakia for the past 5 years. My family originally comes from Slovakia, but before WWI my grandfather ran from the country to America, where the work was plenty, even if was in a Mine or a Mill. My family for 3 generations lived as Americans. I married a Slovak and lived in America wityh her for 4 years beofre deciding to move back to Slovakia to be closer to her family and to introduce my children to Slovak history and pride. WOW, is all I have to say in regards to the passport issues. I cary only a Permanent Residency card, will never give up my US passport, but will pay to continue to live in Slovakia with my family. One of my children has dual citizenship, which he should having parents both with different citizenship, and one to get dual once we file in the proper way (paying more money for this). All this so they can choose in the future where they want to live and to be free from the restraints both my wife and I have when living in either’s nation. I have seen both good and bad in Slovakia, I have been discrimiated against in my work place, but I don’t mind as I am a foreigner in their land, and I am a threat to them as well with my ability to communicate in Business English, which is becomming the standard for all in Slovakia (if you like it or not). I would love to learn Slovak, but my company won’t pay for my lessons, but will pay for my Slovak colleagues to have English Lessons….do I yell and scream…nope, but don’t expect me to speak Slovak by reading a book or two and pretending to understand all the different dialects and grammar. I have Slovak blood running through me, and I still have to go through the process with foreign police, the embassy, and all the paperwork involved! It was harder to get me my legal status in Slovakia than it was for my wife to get her Green Card! Being 20 years behind in technology, process, and policy is my only gripe for Slovakia. Oh yeah, please learn some pride of ownership! This counrty is too beautiful to have trash all over and grafitti on every wall! Clean up the cities, the neighborhhods and areas in which you live! I have heard people (Slovaks) blaming all the filth on the gypsies, but I see people of all factions of life disrespection this country! People not picking up after their dogs, this is just sick! Throwing trash on the ground and expecting someone else to pick it up! Spray painting stuip tags and markings on every building like a dog peeing on a tree to mark it’s territory. This is stuipd and needs to stop! Take pride in your country, but first be the one that walks along and picks up all trash on the streets, the first to help to paint over the graffiti, and to tell that owner of the dog to pick up after theri dogs!
Enough…. I love this country as it was my own and I do pick up trash, I pay taxes, I even support local schools and try to make a differnece…..and this is not my home country!!! You all need to get a grip and start to help… the world doesn’t evolve around anyone or any individual…we are all on this rock, lets try to work together to make a difference.
Well that one will have them all all rockin in their chairs at home …ever thought about being on the London stage …..SWEEPING IT , you know like all good Slovaks with an Education doing menial jobs ?
This is a real story:
George M. comes to the Registry of births, deaths and marragies and says: Hello, I’d like to change my name.
The office lady asks: What’s your name?
George Moron.
Oh, I see. And what will be your new name?
Frank Moron.
🙂
You are getting personal George M., stop been a Moron!!
34 comments later and you are still wrong, George old boy; still wrong
Oh Alec I forgot about you ………
Still what`s my opinion, when you have on here, an utter smug cretin who comments like a bulldog chewing a wasp, Mr Loadsapassport, and a guy on Suicide watch, who believes the world is about to explode ?
I will say this for her, while she’s clearly off the deep end, its novel to see such passion from a Slovak.
I actually thought Ga Ga was winning the game . Answering, or rather not Answering direct questions is an art form ….and I felt you were the one with the spade and the hole ….
Still what`s my opinion when you have on here Mr Loadsapassport, and a guy on Suicide watch, who believes the world is about to explode ?
No George, I am not insane. Give an idiot a shovel and he or she will dig a hole and then fall in it – Lady GaGaGooGoo must be near the earths core by now.
Note she or he ( Slovak nationalist assumes the identity of a talented Americian – interesting!) can’t or won’t answer direct questions.
Probably best ignored and allowed to go back to his or her fantansy world, country, planet!!!! She/he is like a Slovak watch – easy to wind up but don’t work.
Get a grip Marian ….we are all effected anyway, but hardly a time to suggest we act like lemmings and commit mass suicide . With any luck , the greasy dago`s ie Greeks, the Eyeties, the PortUGEESE and the Spanheads will lobbed out of the Euro and we nice well behaved northern countries that abide by the fiscal rules, will run the EU .
Dave C, are you insane, trying to have a logical discussion with a Slovak woodcutter and Nationalist ????
I don’t understand what this entire debate is about. There is not a single country that would be isolated from the current crisis and related economic turmoil. The world economy is on the verge of a collapse. If there happens to be such a collapse (which would be much more serious than what happened in 1930s), it won’t matter what nationality you are or what passport you hold, you will all be affected, you will struggle to survive and national pride will no longer make any sense. It never makes any sense.
please explain what mandate you have to address anyone in such a way. How many people do you really think you speak for?
IAM SLOVAK YOU ARE NOT > THAT IS MY MANDATE.
Please if that it your attitude what would you propose doing with the ethnic Germans, Russins, Poles, Hungarians etc who inhabit these lands and to whom Slovak is not their first tongue?
IF THEY HAVE SLOVAK PASS, THEY CAN STAY.
Would you extend your bigotry to Kia, VW, US Steel, Honeywell, Sony and all the other non-Slovak firms that have created thousands of jobs for Slovaks.
THESE COMPANY STAY BECAUSE WE PAY THEM . THEY LEAVE WHEN WE DONT .
As for describing your fellow countrymen as vermin, not for running away, but for making a life, often a better life, in foriegn lands, – words fail me!
As for the ” Not fighting for your country” – I take it you were a leading figure during the Velvet Revolution – pray inspire us all with tales of your fight for freedom in Slovakia.
CLEARLY YOU ARE NOT SLOVAK ……
Its quite clear that on your planet, Slovakia ( probably the only country ) is only inhabited by true Slovaks. Wake up dear, the foreigners are here and they will stay and your countrymen will continue to leave for distant shores, even more so after reading the diatribe you write.
THEY CAN LEAVE …
Wow, so many rubbish comments under one article. What’s wrong with you people? You all should get hosed down like wasps to get rid of you 🙂
Lady Googoo Gaga: We the people of Slovakia – please explain what mandate you have to address anyone in such a way. How many people do you really think you speak for? Please if that it your attitude what would you propose doing with the ethnic Germans, Russins, Poles, Hungarians etc who inhabit these lands and to whom Slovak is not their first tongue? Would you extend your bigotry to Kia, VW, US Steel, Honeywell, Sony and all the other non-Slovak firms that have created thousands of jobs for Slovaks. As for describing your fellow countrymen as vermin, not for running away, but for making a life, often a better life, in foriegn lands, – words fail me!
As for the ” Not fighting for your country” – I take it you were a leading figure during the Velvet Revolution – pray inspire us all with tales of your fight for freedom in Slovakia.
Its quite clear that on your planet, Slovakia ( probably the only country ) is only inhabited by true Slovaks. Wake up dear, the foreigners are here and they will stay and your countrymen will continue to leave for distant shores, even more so after reading the diatribe you write.
Go Ga Ga, go …..I have worked out that over 150,000 voters went for the SNS at the last election . Over 400,000 went for Most Hid and SMK ….all party with an ethnic exclusive people program, rather than a INCUSIVE for all programe .
What with the my Right wing pal of my right ,to have multi passport abuser and you have not RIGHT to comment unless you hold a passport …well huh !… and the people who stupidly and selfishly vote for Fico, because he offers them lots of nice sweeties to turn sour in the end …it makes you wonder why this country never could get rid of corruption .
It is a normal way of life here !
YOU ARE NOT CORRECT > you cannot be passport holder of Slovakia in eye of we the people of Slovakia, you are not Slovak . It must be a passport of country you are born . If you are denied passport of born country , for some technical reason, then you should take proper test , that you can be valid person here. Speak Slovak as first mouth and admire Slovak history .
Anyone who left Slovakia, to become economic imigrant in USA, Canada or Australia pre 1989 is traitor in the eyes of ALL patriotic Slovaks . These people are vermin for running away and not fighting for there country and we spit on there gaves .
Raz: You do not have the right to voice your opinion until you are a true citizen…………..
The right of every individual to express his or her opinion on any subject is enshrined in the principle of Natural Law, the basis for the Constitution of your adopted country, the principle of British, German, French etc law and a key principle of the International Convention of Human Rights so unless the majority of the western world has got it wrong, your opinion on the matter is flawed. BTW your adopted country did not hold referendums of the citizens of Hawaii, the independent Republics of Texas and California before their military annexation and the same holds true of Iraq and Afghanistan. I won’t mention the Blacks, Native Americans and other groups that were excluded from having a voice in that bastion of Democracy.
Lady Ga Ga : People who obtain dual citizenship are not traitors to the mother country – very often it is a requirement to continue living in the country of your choice. I hope to obtain Slovak citizenship, that does not mean I will be a traitor to the country I helped defend for for over twenty years ( and have the scars to prove it!). Dual or multi citizenship is not some new fad, it has been common practice for centuries. I know the principle has only recently become a reality here in SK but before WW2 is was very common. There is a monument in my street to a Slovak priest who held British citizenship in the 1920’s.
So after all the name calling and mud slinging, does anyone not agree with me that the prosecution of a very elderly woman who, God bless her, is unlikely to be around much longer, because she has exercised her right to obtain Hungarian citizenship, is a waste of tax payers ( George M and I are tax payers) money and that the state authorities need to get their priorities right.
Lady Ga Ga so suddenly i am not traitor thoe so you have called me in your previous posting.
I have right to slovak citizentship becouse i was born there. If anyone was traitor. then the slovak republik under kommunism was traitor to me. I left in 1968 if it tells you anything.
And you are right that living in another country and not becoming citizen would have left me pensioner without pension.Could You live out of nothing?
I have not left Slovakia for any economic reasons but for political.
Some voiced that people coming to Slovakia for medical treatment steal?
If i didnt have medical insurance I would have to pay cash out of my poket for it. And paying such insurance at least a year before insurance would pay for any treatment.
Insurance companies are not stupid, first them then only rest.
And as for defending any goverment? They are not to be trusted. Too many lies in hands of people who put themself there. You woted for them? Who put them there to be voted for? Did they give people right to recall them from goverment? Don’t be naive.
They are people interested in power money and themsefs.
If they do something for You then only becouse they must, even if we dont know those reasons.
BTW I am using my real name not some label to hide behind.
Michael
Michael, I think you will find most people don`t give a toss ….
Slovaks are so rasist, Shame on you!!!
He who doesn’t steal from the state, steals from his own family….
Your comment makes no sense ? Are you Hungarian ?
He who doesn’t steal from the state, steals from his own family….
Razdaz, you were a traitor to the Slovak motherland .You are no more than a cheap economic imigrant , protending to be a political prisonor of the state when you sculked over the border to the West. We all pay for your wrong doing .
Now you steal from your brothers , with all your passports !
We, the Sons of the Motherland who fought for Slovakia, will spit on your grave .
I was American before I PAID to be a Slovak- check yourself- it is with foreigners who want to contribute to your society with all of the fees we pay to become a citizen that help and contribute to your motherland, and in doing so I have paid my way!
Whoever would want a passport , or ever want to be a true citizen of your personal corrupt rat hole ? How many passports is it now you want, purely so you can steal healthcare from hardworking citizens or fiddle your Taxes ?
Someelse please throw this Slovak mongral dog a bone ….
Trust me as far as I can see, you would never be issued a passport to get into my world! I am not mad only dogs go mad… and as far as it shows you must be a DOG! Now as I said climb back under your rock, the real world is too much for you!
To sum up my reply, quite rightly I suggest you should go to hell or whatever rock you climbed from, because you truly have no true voice that is being taken legally nor seriously by anyone. When you have citizenship of the country you are living in, than you have a right, so piss off until then.
Oh what a normal woodcutters reaction Raz, how mad you are . BTW. Do you always sniff your own farts ?
No, Slovakia is not the centre of the universe ….just your small Slovak mind . Free speech and democratic principles never come easy to your types . However, I am discussing matters with a cretin that finds the need for three passports by some right, to even claim to be citizen of a country ????
I guess we will all need a passport to get into your world as well ?
RAZdaz,OF COURSE it is a not a crime , did I say that?. Although it should be Why do you need to be dual citizen ??? There is no jealousy here, just a lot of practical issues . Tax , healthcare, school, visa requirements etc …and the risk of terrorism .
It is a nice way to play the system ….we pay here for your possible healthcare as you claim to be Slovak Citizen ….rather than an American one,with more expensive MEDICARE costs …is that fair ???
Of course there are traitors when you have dual citizenship, you are not offering yourself as a citizen to help in the countries you are holding citizenship you are playing the system . I know Slovaks who dont even hide the fact!
As for Lady Ga Ga good for you I say ….time these changlings got there comeupance ,
Dear Raz, as for your moronic comment where you claim I am against all issues in the world around me This issue clearly DOES concern me ! I am a foreigner, but I was given the right to stay this crummy country under EU Treaties signed up too, not under some Slovak permit . Who would ever want to be a true citizen of this corrupt rat hole?
Of course I have every right to voice my opinion regarding Slovakia, it is my right and we are not living in George Bush and Terrorist State Of America . BTW , Slovakia joined the EU ….as an American passport holder , you may rightly need visa to enter another country ….as a Slovak you can go anywhere …is that right ?
Quite rightly this law will never be lifted and you will not be able become a citizen of Hungary, neither Slovak , neither the USA …you will quite rightly be forced to choose one . Please go for Hungary ….!
George M excuse the typo – you do NOT have the right to voice your opinion, until you are a true citizen of the country you are living in, you can NOT have a voice that is heard!
In the world of 2012, it is a crime not to be able to be a dual citizen if you have the opportunity. It appears that there is jealousy getting the better of most of you here.
Lets be clear here… they are no traitors when you have dual citizenship, you are instead offering yourself as a citizen to help in the countries you are holding citizenship for, to become a dual citizen you must have a given right, and with that right you must abide by the rules of each country, which also includes paying fees and taxes as necessary in each, if you are too young than your parents take that responsibility, by doing so you have the right to accept the benefits, medical, schooling, etc….
Lady Ga Ga you need to step back and realize the real world! and George M you really seem to be a bitter person against all issues in the world around you, not just this one, which clearly does not concern you! You are a foreigner being given the right to stay in the country, until you are a true citizen you do you have the right to voice your opinion.
Those who are NOT or can not become a dual citizen for whatever reason, should really look beyond their noses. Michael good for you! By the way I am also a dual citizen US and SK, and as soon as the law is lifted will also become a citizen of Hungary, because it is my given right!
As a Dual Citizen it is an opportunity, one which must be reminded that to be successful in life you must take responsibility with every opportunity given to you and as long as you follow the responsibilities and laws of the country, (which for those naive individuals, Lady Gaga, George M means to pay your taxes and obligations, where you are accepting nationality) you are only living life to the fullest and paving a better road for future generations.
Hooray for Dual Citizenship!
….
Seems I missed all the fun ….?
Slovensko uber alles!!!
Idiot , my real name is not Lady Ga Ga ….who would also claim to have a name of Hodges ….you sound like a pig .
How odd. I never realised that Lady Gaga was Slovak . I wonder if she has two passports too..
Mickeal , you were a traitor to the Slovak motherland .You are no more than a cheap economic imigrant , protending to be a political prisonor of the state . We all pay for your wrong doing .
We of the motherland , will spit on your grave .
This article just about sums up the Slovak legal system. On the same day as a court releases a man who is suspected of being involved in the horrific murder of two elderly pensioners, the same institution starts procedings against an elderly citizen who has obtained citizenship of the evil Hungarian Empire. Meanwhile, it appears that Trnka used his position to try and stop an investigation by the military and security services bacause it may have been embarassing to his puppet master, Fico. It is obvious that rather that fight crime, dispense justice and investigate the real crimes that have been committed, the powers that be would rather justify their rather sad existence by making an example of the weakest in society. I sincerely hope the ECHR hammers Slovakia.
Sorry Alec, I think you misunderstand …My opinion is , `You cannot be a citizen of TWO counties in year 2012 ( with a passport in each) …There are legal and Tax problems in doing this ……` , I was also not considering Residency . Rather we pussy foot with people due to Political Correctness, the strange ethnic and cultural needs of the immigrant population to be identified with some home they have often never been too…When I went to America ..no one was `American` , they were Afro or Hispanic or bla de bla American ???
You are wrong there!
I am born in Slovakia left in 1968 and aquired australian citizenship. I hold two pasports and have no problems to reside in Slovakia. I actualy own house there and spen 6 months in each every year.
Michael
Untrue George. Canadian’s can have multiple citizenship.
You can be a citizen of the UK and another country
Likewise foreign citizens can retain their original citizenship whilst becoming a British citizen
The USA is similar
Slovaks and Czechs can be citizens of both countries.
Different countries have different rules.
In the case of Slovakia and ethnic Hungarians the situation is exasperated by Xenophobic politicians.
You cannot be a citizen of TWO counties in year 2012 …There are legal and Tax problems in doing this ……Both countries are in the EU , you have to choose one, and loose your rights in the other ….I am sure tax avoiding Slovaks and Hungarians would love to reduce their payment of tax by dividing their personal allowances between the two when paying in their income or choosing which for Tax domain they decided they are Resident .
I still stunning when these `escaped ` Slovaks who reside in the USA or Canada return claim cheaper Slovak Heath Service rights , when they hold a North American passport , but because they hold a 2nd Slovak passport and pay min health insurance . How do they square this with the rest of us who pay local taxes ???