Since 2013, Greenpeace has continuously supported Kishantos’ fight for justice. Therefore, in April 2014, we organized a peaceful and law-abiding demonstration against the destruction of Kishantos’ lands when, disregarding the asset protection lawsuit, the “new leasers” began cultivation on the land. In spite of the protest, not only did the NFA fail to stop the pointless destruction, but it hired a private, armed security firm to secure the area (see photos here).
It is in the state’s own interest to support the operation of a well-managed organic farm that is beneficial for the health of both people and nature. Yet, the NFA, acting on behalf of the state, sided with the “new leasers” when it hired a private security firm from the taxpayers’ money so that the “new leasers” could carry out their barbaric destruction on Kishantos’ land undeterred. And now, in a cynical fashion, the NFA is trying to get these costs covered by those who protected the environment and the health of Hungarian citizens.
The aim of our demonstration at the time was, in accordance with Greenpeace’s mission stated in our constitution, to foster the protection of nature and human life – and it is our belief that we were also acting in line with Hungary’s Fundamental Law, which codifies everyone’s right to a healthy environment (Article XXI).
Our demonstration was lawful, and organized according to the principles of the right to assemble. This is also proved by the fact that NFA did not press criminal charges against our action, and the police did not notify us about acting unlawfully either. Taking into account all of the above, we have requested the court to reject NFA’s lawsuit.
The court today decided to suspend the hearing until the settlement of other lawsuits.
“We trust the unbiased judgment of the independent court, which, according to our belief, cannot justify such an absurd claim for compensation. We will win back the model farm at Kishantos lawsuit by lawsuit if need be, and we will mobilize society to stand up bravely for ecological farming and freedom of speech,” said Katalin Rodics, agriculture campaigner at Greenpeace Hungary.
We believe that freedom of speech is everyone’s basic right, and that protests organized for the right cause are not destructive, but actually make us stronger. Therefore, Greenpeace has proclaimed 10 November the “Day of Courage”, on the occasion of which more than 30 organizations along with about a hundred citizens expressed their solidarity in front of the courthouse. The participants also issued a joint statement entitled “Courage can not be ploughed”.
The phrase „Bátorság!” (Courage) on the ground was composed of fresh, green wheatgerm stemming from organic seeds of Kishantos. At the end of the demonstration we distributed the little pots to the participants as a symbol of the growing encouragement of our civil society.
Pictures about the demonstration: https://www.flickr.com/photos/greenpeacehu/albums/72157658717937403
A detailed Q&A about the case and Kishantos [in Hungarian]: http://www.greenpeace.org/hungary/hu/sajtokozpont/14-millio-forintra-perli-a-magyar-allam-Kishantost-es-a-Greenpeace-t/
The joint statement, “Courage can not be ploughed” signed by 30+ organizations [in Hungarian]: http://www.greenpeace.org/hungary/hu/sajtokozpont/Kozos-nyilatkozat-A-batorsagot-nem-lehet-beszantani/
Timeline of all of Greenpeace’s Kishantos-related activites [in Hungarian]: greenpeace.hu/kishantos