Fidesz (anti-)war campaign endangers children severely, experts warn

The ongoing (anti-)war campaign of the Fidesz government is a serious threat to children and a clear violation of their rights, child advocate experts say. Unlawful, harmful, dangerous, and incomprehensible, a sociologist who works with children summed up the “Stop War” campaign.

In recent weeks, it has become impossible not to come across posters on the street that read “Stop War” in enormous letters. Similarly, advertisements with sinister background music, proclaiming that Hungarian opposition politicians would plunge the country into war constantly interrupt YouTube videos.

The Hungarian press reported extensively on a case in Piliscsaba, where the mayor had to relocate an anti-war poster from in front of a school after several complaints from parents. At the recent Peace March, children performing on stage before Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech had to shout that they did not want war.

Népszava interviewed child rights experts about the government’s war campaign who pointed out that posters and campaign videos threatening war could be seriously harmful to the psychological development of children.

In name, the ads are part of a pro-peace campaign. In reality, they are barely-masked fearmongering ahead of the upcoming elections. To reflect this dichotomy, this article uses the terms “anti-war campaign” and “war campaign” interchangeably.

Previous events: both Péter Magyar and the government have spoken out on the anti-war campaign

Péter Magyar, vice-chairman of the Tisza Party recently announced that he would sue Viktor Orbán over the fearmongering war campaign, and also file a complaint with the National Media and Infocommunications Authority about war scare ads on YouTube. Moreover, his party has launched a petition entitled “War is not a game” to protect children’s rights, as they claim that:

“the ruling party, in its election campaign, is using TV, internet, and billboards to bombard people with content harmful to children’s psychological development in order to maintain its power.”

As reported by DNH, Fidesz communications director Tamás Menczer responded to Magyar’s statements by saying that George Soros had ordered Magyar to have the posters removed. Magyar, according to the director, is “a genuine, black belt, pro-war, left-wing politician, financed by and taking orders from George Soros.”

Menczer added that “the truth is that children are not harmed by the posters but by the war.” Therefore, the “Stop War” posters will not disappear, in fact, the campaign will continue with even more force.

The war campaign poses a serious threat to children’s wellbeing

Mária Herczog, a sociologist and child advocate expert, said the government’s messaging “violates children’s rights, is harmful, dangerous and incomprehensible.”

Herczog stressed that the Fidesz anti-war campaign could cause anxiety in adults and children alike. If parents themselves believe in the danger of an all-out war, they may also instil in their children a sense of fear of the future.

Children, even if they don’t fully understand what is going on in politics, understand the underlying sentiment that “everyone is constantly in danger. There are no opponents but enemies facing each other, there is no common ground, no common cause, no room for meaningful agreements, and no compromises. Instead, we must fight.”

This is a deeply concerning message, Herczog said, which could have long-term implications for the psyches of the younger generations. She said that for experts working with children, it is a key goal to teach youngsters how to manage conflict peacefully, how to cooperate with each other, and negotiate non-violently. In such a political climate, this task is about impossible.

Moreover, the fact that such “Stop War” ads can pop up during videos that have nothing to do with politics, such as content for children, is “extremely harmful and seriously endangers children, violating their rights.”

Mrs Katona Pehr Erika, representing the Civil Coalition for Children’s Rights, emphasised that children should not become tools of party politics. A proper political and constitutional culture cannot allow parties to use those most vulnerable in society to reach their goals.

The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights and two deputies issued a joint statement at the time of the 2019 European Parliament elections regarding this standard, stating that “children are individuals with fundamental human rights, views, and feelings,” who should not be used to gain popularity during elections.

Moreover, Mrs Katona highlighted that it is strictly prohibited to manipulate children in election campaigns. She added that the protection of children from harmful messages should be a top priority for all parties during election season.

Scaremongering about war is in stark contrast with these ideals, the expert said, pointing out that the war campaign is “seriously harmful to children because it instils a visceral fear of possible bombings, of the possible death of their parents or family.”

Read also:

• Hungarian minister: Pro-peace politicians ‘hunted down’ in various ways
• According to PM Orbán, Brussels wants to enter the war