The DCHV is not just a political party, but a political representative association with the objective of formulating, disclosing and representing the fundamental rights of the ethnic Hungarians of Voivodina. At the present time, the nationalistic and ethnocentric tendencies of the Serb government, are a direct threat to the very survival of the indigenous Hungarian ethnic population of Voivodina. The concept of autonomy adopted by the DCHV is perceived as the legal framework for the continuous survival of the ethnic Hungarians of Voivodina.

As a proof for the imminent need for a political representative association ensuring the survival of ethnic Hungarians in Voivodina, we offer the following information:

The decline of the Ethnic Hungarian Population in Voivodina

It is evident that the decline of the Hungarian population has started in the socialist era, although official explanations are not available, for the obvious reason that the Communist regime was not interested in pursuing and disclosing such information. At that time the Hungarians of Voivodina did not have their own organizations. The leaders who were acting in the name of Hungarians were appointed by the Communist establishment, and consequently their primary responsibility was geared towards the Communist establishment, and not to the Hungarian population.

Since the establishment of the multiparty system in Serbia (1990), the Serb parliament has ratified 18 bills that limit or abolish the minority rights in Serbia. In reality, bilingualism has ceased to exist in administration and in the judicial system. Due to prevailing chaotic situation in public life, the principle of equality before the law does not exist any longer. For this reason, the ethnic Hungarians are finding it increasingly difficult to establish private businesses, and they are being systematically forced of their existing jobs.

Since the outbreak of the civil war, between 25.000 to 30.000 ethnic Hungarians have fled the country. The majority has fled in the face of forceful mobilization, but a substantial number has left, because of the psychological pressure and systematic propaganda aimed specifically against ethnic Hungarians. The illegal and accelerated colonization of Voivodina in the form bringing in Serb settlers from outside Voivodina, with the intention of forcibly changing the ethnic balance of the region, in causing panic and distress amongst the local Hungarian population. Since the ethnic Hungarians in Voivodina are unarmed, the possibility of the armed resistance is not an option. In the event of ensuing grave atrocities, massacres, and systematic plundering against the ethnic Hungarians of Voivodina, as the result of the repeated threats by the leaders of the extremist Serb nationalist parties, the only choice for ethnic Hungarians would bee the mass exodus from Voivodina.

Despite these grave circumstances and the imminent danger to the survival of ethnic Hungarians, the DCHV, has taken a decisive stand and the appropriate actions in opposing the bloodshed. In these difficult circumstances, the DCHV has played a key role in alleviating the tremendous pressure exerted on Hungarians of Voivodina. With the support of the Church, the DCHV has openly declared its opposition to the bloodshed, and made it clear that it does not wish to participate in the historical dispute of the Slavic people, and the ensuing conflict that follows. Despite the extreme political pressure and persecutions, the DCHV raised its voice in support of those ethnic Hungarians, and the members of other nationalities, who have refused the draft notices. It has further initiated the establishing of an all encompassing humanitarian-charitable organization, and amidst the most difficult circumstances it succeeded in acting as a motivational force, enabling the ethnic Hungarians of Voivodina to establish themselves as a political force in their own right.

The DCHV has up till now participated in three elections, as a registered political organization, and it has won sweeping support in all of the predominantly Hungarian populated areas. The achieved 80-96% victory has established the DCHV as the sole legitimate political representative body of the ethnic Hungarians of Voivodina. In its wider function, as a political interest organisation, the DCHV is also very active in serving and representing the legitimate interest of the Hungarians of Voivodina, and other nationalities, seeking its services.

A wide variety of views from all sides of the political spectrum could be found within the DCHV. Its unity and effectiveness is based on the shared conviction that the survival of the ethnic Hungarian population of Voivodina rests in achieving the proposed autonomy. We may be willing to wait for attaining our primary goal, but we can not relinquish the concept of autonomy.

From the very beginning, the DCHV did not favour those Hungarian leaders, who played an intermediary part between the previous socialist regime and the Hungarians. One segment of the past Hungarian appointed leadership has later embraced the concept of autonomy, as it was formulated by the DCHV, and some previous leaders have continued their political careers within the various Serb apparently democratic political parties. The number of the latter is however insignificant. It is important to point out that the DCHV did not join any of the quasi democratic Serb political parties to form a coalition, neither during the elections, nor in form of a parliamentary coalition after the elections. The reason for this being, that with their extreme nationalistic orientation these parties reject the concept of the autonomy for minorities, as proposed by the DCHV, and they also dismiss the idea of a dialogue concerning the autonomy.

In the parliaments, every democratic proposal of the opposition, can count on the support of the DCHV.

The DCHV is engaged in a wide variety of international activities. It strives to promote its concept of autonomy, and to gain international support for this democratic concept that may serve as a model for solving the question of minorities. The international community would also benefit from a lasting and democratic solution of the minority question in former Yugoslavia.

It is the position of the DCHV that the completely open and unresolved question of minorities in this region be resolved as part of the ensuing peace process. We also wish and hope that double standards would not be applied in the process of resolving the question of minorities in the region. Since the international solutions implemented with regard to former Yugoslavia, will stand as a precedent regarding the future, we feel, that with the appropriate support, there is a possibility that the Serb government will realize the advantage of a reconciliation with the Hungarians in Voivodina by assenting to their claim for autonomy.

The Hungarians of Voivodina do not seek the alteration of borders, but they adhere to their inherent right to collective self preservation, and the reassurance of their continuous survival beyond the end of the twentieth century. These inalienable rights include the three-fold autonomy as endorsed by the DCHV.

With the forming of the DCHV, the political wing for the implementation of autonomy was also established. Following the municipal elections, the areas where the local autonomy of Hungarians in Voivodina could be implemented, have also emerged. We have set out on the assessment of the possible implementation of personal autonomy as well, by establishing a new system of contacts. In the areas of Voivodina with non homogenous ethnic Hungarian population, numerous Hungarian self-governments have been already established. The Hungarians of Voivodina have set out to implement their autonomy. We do not wish to create unilateral public ordinances, our primary aim is to pursue a dialogue with the Serb authorities, and we seek international support for achieving our goals. By using these methods, the impending grave conflicts could be avoided, and the endeavours of the minorities could be accomplished as well.