An open letter to Hungary

I first met some Hungarians when I was a little girl in Canada. They were refugees from the Russian invasion. My sisters and I gave up our bedrooms so they could stay. They were with our family for a few weeks. A whole family - parents and two children stayed with our next-door neighbours. They all made quite an impression. We struggled to communicate with them as the language was so different. My Dad who spoke several languages got a Hungarian text book and dictionary and acted as interpreter for everyone else. My mother and the lady next door made big efforts to cook things they thought our guests would like. Eventually they moved but we kept in touch.

I was very shocked to see the way Hungarians today are treating refugees from the war in Syria - especially the women and children. Those people were exhausted, traumatised and hungry. They needed some basic shelter for the night and food.

As a Christian country you should have shown them some hospitality.

Instead they were beaten and sprayed with teargas.

This is really inhuman and unacceptable.

I always wanted to visit Hungary but I am not sure I do now.

Jo Siedlecka