Magyar Gárda
Magyar Gárda Mozgalom (English: Hungarian Guard Movement) founded by Magyar Gárda Hagyományőrző és Kulturális Egyesület (English: Hungarian Guard Association for Protection of Traditions and Culture)[1] is a nationalist, paramilitary movement in Hungary. It was founded through an "oath of loyalty to Hungary" by its members in Buda Castle, Budapest, in August 2007. [2]. They are backed by and developed out of the right-wing party, Jobbik.[3]
The uniform is composed of black boots, black trousers with white shirt and black vest with the shape of a lion on its back and a coat of arms on the front, a shielded black cap and a red-white striped scarf. The Guard's coat of arms is based on that of Emeric of Hungary which features red-white horizontal stripes (aka. "Árpád-sáv") with 9 golden lions in 4 red stripes (3-3-2-1 lions per stripe).
The group itself claims to aim at "defending a physically, spiritually and intellectualy defenceless Hungary"[1][4].
Dissolution
The Hungarian Public Prosecutor sued the Gárda, alleging that its activity differs from its memorandum of association. The case was delayed several times. On the first day of litigation members of the Guard physically blocked journalists from entering the court, leading to a change in court rules.
On 16 December 2008 the Metropolitan Court of Budapest (Fővárosi Bíróság) as the court of first instance disbanded the "Magyar Gárda" Organization because the court held that the activities of the organization were against the human rights of minorities as guaranteed by the Hungarian Constitution.
The "Magyar Gárda" Organization appealed against the judgment, but the judgment of the first instance court was upheld by the Metropolitan Court of Appeal (Fővárosi Ítélőtábla) on 2 July 2009. Following the judgment, the Guard's representatives said they would apply for a review by the Supreme Court and ultimately challenge the judgment before the European Court of Human Rights and claimed that the Hungarian courts were bowing to political pressure.
Reorganization
Since its dissolution ordered by the courts the Guard has attempted to reorganize itself as a civil service association, known as the Magyar Gárda Foundation, engaged in cultural and nation building activities rather than politics. It has held at least one "swearing in" ceremony and plans to expand its activities around the country.
Its renewed activities are opposed by the Hungarian authorities [5] and prosecutors claim that the founding of the new organization is in contempt of previous court rulings.
References
- ^ a b http://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/meldung487764.html (German)
- ^ Hundreds join Hungary "
- ^ Magyar Garda Is 'Hungary's Shame', Der Spiegel, 2007-08-27
- ^ Alapito nyilatkozat Establishment manifesto (Hungarian)
- ^ police-investigate-new-magyar-garda New Magyar Gárda
External links
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