On Friday morning, one half of the damages awarded to all parties concerned was transferred; the missing part of the amount will be paid within a month, László Horváth, the Prime Minister’s appointee said at a press conference held on Friday in Gyöngyöspata in connection with the local segregation school case.
With this, a chapter has been brought to a conclusion; there will not be another, the Fidesz Member of Parliament said, taking the view that they have learnt a lesson, have drawn the conclusions and have paid the price.
At the same time, he pointed out that what happened in Gyöngyöspata could only happen once, and in the future it cannot happen anywhere in Hungary. According to a legislative amendment recently adopted in Parliament with a large majority, courts will not be able to award monetary damages in similar lawsuits, he recalled. If anyone sustains a disadvantage during their studies, it will have to be rectified with educational services; “there will be no scope for any further gainful segregation lawsuits,” Mr Horváth underlined.
He indicated at the same time that those who want to study and work are supported by the government. However, anyone who tries to make money through truancy or violence will be firmly stopped.
Mr Horváth recalled that they pointed out several times in connection with the school lawsuit that, based on the government’s position, the court judgment adopted in the case is unfair, exaggerated and one-sided, and upsets social peace. They also stated and substantiated with facts that behind the procedure there is “a politically driven gainful campaign as it was planned, organised and implemented by a foundation whose number one sponsor is George Soros”.
In this legal procedure, segregation was only an excuse, while the Roma pupils and their families a means; the true goal of the legal action was to generate a conflict, and through this to discredit Hungary and the government, he pointed out.
The appointee of the Prime Minister also highlighted that during the procedure they suggested that the damages to the value of HUF 100 million awarded in the case should be granted in kind – in the form of education and training – instead of cash. In the long run, this solution would have benefited the persons concerned more, and would have also helped to keep the peace. However, this proposal fell on deaf ears both at the court and at the foundation representing the persons concerned, he observed.
Mr Horváth stressed that within the boundaries of the rule of law a final and absolute court decision is binding; it must be implemented even if it is obvious that the Municipality of Gyöngyöspata is unable to meet the obligation of compensation imposed on it and that the judgment would nearly bankrupt the whole of the settlement. Seeking a way out of this situation, the Heves County settlement asked for and received help from the government which will make possible the payment of the awarded sums, he said in conclusion.