Statement by Elisabeth Sándor-Szalay, Ombudsman for the Rights of National Minorities, on the May 3rd Constitution Day of Poland

On May 3, 1791, the Polish Great Sejm adopted Europe's first modern written national constitution, the world's second, after the United States Constitution. The progressive Polish constitution introduced the institution of constitutional monarchy, guaranteed the separation of legislative, executive and judicial branches of power, provided for equality before the law and propagated the principle of equitable governance.  Through codifying, at the highest possible level, the values of good government and good governance, the Polish nation took a step far ahead of its time.

Two years after its constitution had been adopted, Poland was divided by the neighboring powers, temporarily losing her statehood. In the course of the following centuries, countless Polish patriots sacrificed their life for regaining and keeping their country's freedom and independence. On May 2, the Flag Day, in addition to commemorating the constitution on May 3, we pay tribute to the memory of those heroes, as well.

May 3 is also the day of Polonia, commemorating those fifteen million Polish people who were scattered outside the country's borders by the storms of history. Polish communities all over the world have earned the respect from their host nations and, in recent centuries, numerous polish scientists and artists living outside the motherland have gained international recognition.  In the early days of World War II, Hungary demonstrated her commitment to our countries' centuries-long friendship through receiving tens of thousands of Polish refugees. By virtue of our Fundamental Law, the Polish community in Hungary, together with several other nationalities, is an integral part of the Hungarian political community; therefore, we may rightly consider this day as ours.