Hungary Court Bans Far-Right Hungarian Guard

Politicians, human rights activists and Roma rights activists have criticised the Guard for staging intimidating marches nationwide.

The far-right Hungarian Guard, a radical nationalist organisation, must be dissolved because in the past its marches have fuelled ethnic tensions and led to a disruption of public order, a Hungarian court ruled on Thursday.

Politicians, human rights activists and Roma rights activists have criticised the Guard for staging intimidating marches nationwide to protest against the spread of petty crime it says is mostly committed by Roma. Critics say its black uniform and insignia are reminiscent of the Nazi era.

Hungary has one of the largest Roma communities in eastern Europe, accounting for 5-7 percent of its 10 million population.

Backed by far-right party Jobbik which won 3 seats in European elections last month, the Guard said that it would appeal at Hungary's Supreme Court and the European Human Rights Court in Strasbourg, national news agency MTI reported.

Court spokeswoman Zsuzsanna Mohacsi told Reuters that Guard members as citizens can still use their right of assembly.

On its website, the Guard rejected Thursday's ruling and said guard members would continue their activities.

In a ruling last year, a Hungarian court said a Guard demonstration in 2007, the year the Guard was launched, in a village near Budapest with a large Roma population "had the potential to intimidate and stir anti-Roma feelings".

Based on recent poll, Jobbik ("For a Better Hungary") would get seats in the Hungarian parliament if elections were held now. Elections are due next year.