Hungarian Revolution 50th Anniversary - Parliamentary Motion
On the 24 of October 2006, in the New Zealand parliament, the following Motion was put:
KEITH LOCKE (Green): I move,
That this House,
- commends the Hungarian people as they mark the 50th anniversary of the October 1956
Revolution, which set the stage for the democratic changes which occurred in 1989 in Hungary and
other Eastern European countries;
- expresses its condolences to the people of Hungary for those who lost their lives fighting for the
cause of Hungarian freedom and independence in 1956 as well as those individuals executed by the
Soviet and Hungarian authorities in the five years following the Revolution, including Prime Minister
Imre Nagy;
- welcomes the achievement of democracy in Hungary in 1989, and the progress its people have
made since then;
- reaffirms the friendship and cooperative relations between the Governments of Hungary and
New Zealand, and between the Hungarian and New Zealand people;
- notes that over one thousand Hungarian refugees came to New Zealand after the Revolution
was crushed by Soviet forces;
- recognises the significant contribution of the Hungarian community to the progress of New
Zealand over the last 50 years; and
- asks the Speaker to convey this motion to the Speaker of the Hungarian Parliament.
Motion agreed to.
KEITH LOCKE (Green): I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I have one point in relation to my motion earlier. I think it might be appropriate, on the occasion of this very important anniversary, to recognise the presence with us today of the Hungarian Honorary Consul in New Zealand, Klara Szentirmay, and other members of the Hungarian community.
Madam SPEAKER: If members wish to acknowledge their presence, please do so.
[Applause]
Hansard, 24 October 2006
