Budapest jewdicial court attempts to outlaw far-right, white nationalist "Hungarian Guard"

http://www.ejpress.org/article/33018

Extreme-right Hungarian Guard to be dismantled 17/Dec/2008 BUDAPEST (AFP)---A Budapest court ordered late Tuesday the dismantling of the far-right Hungarian Guard organisation, for racial discrimination against the Roma minority.The Hungarian Guard Traditional and Cultural Association "means to create a climate of fear, while its activities -- the marching of its members in Roma-populated settlements and the speeches of its leaders -- constitute a breach of the rights of other citizens," the Municipal Court of Budapest said . The organisation, which was formed in August 2007, rejects equal rights for the Roma and creates resentment against them, the court added.The decision was not legally binding and the organisation has said it will appeal."The Hungarian Guard cannot be dissolved, the Hungarian Guard will continue to work to save the nation and society, and we will appeal the court's decision," noted association president Gabor Vona. Members of the Hungarian Guard movement, in black and white uniforms emblazoned with a coat of arms similar to that of Hungary's fascist party during World War II, have staged regular marches through Roma settlements in the countryside for the past year. Vona argued that the offshoot movement acted independently of the main association, but the court rejected this argument, noting that, "in creating a movement, the Hungarian Guard set up a framework for activities that are illegal."The Guard association has launched a campaign against "gypsy crimes" and held vigils for "the victims of Roma crimes", prompting outrage from minority politicians, Roma and Jewish groups.