Az "Amerika Hangja" - Voice of America - AIDS, uj torveny
Magyarorszagon.
(Elnezest az esetleges kisbetukert, de az eredeti szoveg csupa
nagybetuvel volt irva, amit at kellett cserelnem.)

Buchwald Amy

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date=7/7/94
type=correspondent report
number=2-161563
title=Hungary / AIDS (l-only)
byline=Stefan Bos
dateline=Budapest
content=
voiced at:

Intro:  European diplomats in Budapest are upset over the
introduction of a new law in Hungary obligating foreigners to
undergo an AIDS test.  Stefan Bos has more in this report, based
on an interview with the Dutch ambassador, who filed an official
protest with the government.

Text:  Dutch ambassador Hans Sondaal told V-o-A he is very
concerned that Hungary now requires all foreigners who want to
live in the country to pass an AIDS test.

In his view, Hungary better scrap the new law if the country is
to ever be accepted into the European Union.

                       /// Sondaal act //

        "The main obligation against which we have objections is
         that there is an obligatory medical test for AIDS.  As
         far as we are concerned that runs counter to
         recommendations of the Council of Europe and the
         European Union.  Hungary is a member of the Council of
         Europe and wishes to become a member of the European
         Union.

                          // End act //

The new regulations went into effect May first, but were  not
applied rigorously until a few weeks ago.

E-U officials charge that since that time, Hungary has used the
law to target visitors from Eastern Europe, Africa and other
developing countries.

Some foreigners have complained they have been subjected to an
AIDS test more than once after police claim their papers were
misplaced.  Others have been held in detention camps for days
while awaiting results of the examinations.

Hungary joins several nations requiring the tests of would-be
immigrants.  In promulgating the measure requiring the AIDS
tests, Hungarian officials say they are guarding the public
health.

Ambassador Sondaal and others disagree, saying the procedures
violate a person's basic right of privacy.

                      // Sondaal 2nd act //

         In the Netherlands, we oblige foreigners who want to
         reside in Holland that they show that they don't have
         tuberculosis.  But that is different than AIDS.
         Tuberculosis is a generally infectious illness.  AIDS,
         however, is very difficult to determine.  Even if you
         don't determine (a person has) it, it can show up later.
         So, it is a very obligatory and ineffective way of
         protecting your public health.  I think to balance the
         right of privacy on the one hand, and the right of
         protecting the health of the community is  not  the best
         way.

                          // End act //

Ambassador Sondaal believes Hungary's attitude will ultimately
hurt foreign investment in the country.  He says he's already
noted an angry reaction to the new law by some foreign
businessmen.

The ambassador says he hopes the new socialist government, which
is expected to take office this month, will consider the
arguments against the law, and will get rid of the regulations
soon. (Signed)

neb/sb/skh





07-Jul-94 7:03 am edt (1103 utc)
nnnn

source: Voice of America