The Mikó Imre Legal Aid Service finds Dan Tanasă’s latest anti-Hungarian statement deeply outrageous, this time made in connection with the restoration of the Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk (Ghimeș-Făget). The AUR member of parliament once again made remarks that not only attack the historical and cultural heritage of the Hungarian community in Romania, but also deliberately contribute to fueling ethnic tensions.
It is especially concerning that all this happened precisely during the Csíksomlyó pilgrimage, when hundreds of thousands of people take part in religious pilgrimage and spiritual reflection. While believers were celebrating peacefully, nationalist and anti-Hungarian actors once again used the occasion for provocation. Mihai Tîrnoveanu, leader of the radical organization Calea Neamului, posed with a Romanian flag at the Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk (Ghimeș-Făget) and sent a message to Hungarians heading to Csíksomlyó in an obviously provocative tone intended to humiliate the Hungarian community.
The situation was further aggravated by Dan Tanasă’s statement attacking the restoration of the Rákóczi Castle and suggesting that preserving Hungarian historical heritage in Romania would somehow constitute “servility.” This statement goes far beyond political opinion; it is an open attack against the identity and historical presence of the Hungarian community in Romania.
RMDSZ representative Csoma Botond also reacted to Dan Tanasă’s remarks on social media, emphasizing that the Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk (Ghimeș-Făget) is not the private property of any politician, therefore no one can arbitrarily decide on its restoration. He also stressed that the Hungarian community in Romania, as taxpaying citizens, has every right to expect the preservation and restoration of the historical and cultural monuments of regions inhabited by Hungarians, while sharply criticizing Dan Tanasă’s chauvinistic and anti-Hungarian rhetoric and emphasizing that such hate-inciting politics have no place in a democratic society.
The Mikó Imre Legal Aid Service points out that Dan Tanasă’s name has for years been associated with systematic attacks against the Hungarian community in Romania: lawsuits against Hungarian-language signs, flags and symbols, constant complaints and denunciations, as well as statements clearly aimed at stirring anti-Hungarian sentiment.
In connection with the case, Dragoș Benea, Member of the European Parliament and president of the Bacău County branch of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), also commented publicly, criticizing the inauguration ceremony following the restoration of the Rákóczi Castle in Gyimesbükk (Ghimeș-Făget), especially the display of Hungarian and Szekler flags. According to his position, it was problematic that Romanian national symbols were not given sufficient emphasis while the symbols of other communities dominated the event. In his remarks, Benea sharply criticized what had happened, calling it offensive to Romania, and several of his statements echoed the views previously expressed by nationalist figures.
According to the Mikó Imre Legal Aid Service, in a democratic country elected officials should have the responsibility to strengthen dialogue and mutual respect between communities, yet members of parliament continuously choose hate-incitement as a political tool. The historical heritage, cultural presence and identity of the Hungarian community in Romania are not targets for attack, but rather a valuable part of this country. Political behavior built on hatred and provocation cannot remain without consequences in a European democratic society.
“I find it unbelievable that Romanian extremists are now using even religious holidays to incite hatred against the Hungarian community. They did the same at Easter, and now again during Pentecost – this is anything but Christian behavior. I find it particularly worrying that members of parties who have just brought down the government, and who together represent significant strength in parliament, are the ones making these anti-Hungarian inflammatory statements. These cases show quite clearly how they think about Hungarians,” said Erika Benkő, head of the Mikó Imre Legal Aid Service.