Europe is a continent of diversity and plurality, mainly due to its numerous minorities. Every country in the European Union is home to at least one autochthonous minority. In the 27 Member States of the European Union alone, at least 54 languages and 158 linguistic minorities can be identified (Videsott et al. 2023). Language generally plays a pivotal role in Europe as our cultural diversity is mostly based on its linguistic diversity.

In order to protect the rights of persons belonging to national minorities in Europe the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (1998) of the Council of Europe was issued and adopted by many states. Most of them promote the cultural and linguistic development of their minorities abroad in one way or another.

Unfortunately, not all minorities are protected by the status of a national minority and their respective kinstate. Furthermore, (kin-)stateless, religious or sexual minorities are often seen as a burden or thread rather than a cultural enrichment. In many cases, minorities without official protection status are marginalized or excluded.

Central, Eastern and South-Eastern European countries are home to a particularly large number of national and ethnic minorities, as national borders have been shifted multiple times and cultural boundaries have often been blurred. Compared to many of its neighbours, Hungary is characterized by a comparatively homogeneous population, while large Hungarian minorities live in many of its neighbouring countries.

In Hungary, the Roma community forms the largest minority, alongside various national minority groups. With an estimated population between 600.000 to 800.000 individuals, the Roma constitute approximately six to nine percent of Hungary’s total population. The majority of Roma communities are located in North-Eastern Hungary and the South Transdanubian Region, where they live mostly in segregated settlements on the outskirts of smaller towns, cities or in isolated villages. In many cases, these settlements face deprivation regarding basic urban infrastructures and support which leads to environmental hazards and underdevelopments. Stigmatization as well as marginalization of the Roma community are widespread. People from the Roma community generally have a shorter, poorer education, are more likely to be unemployed or work in the low-wage sector.

Members of the LGBTQ+ scene are also marginalized both politically and socially. Various political actors in Hungary have been working for years to stigmatize and ban its members and lifestyle expressions from public life. The consequences can be seen in many places in the social rejection and condemnation of people with a “non-conformist” orientation and strong social polarization in general.