Letters to the Editor

What is Hungary doing in the EU?

All European Union countries have ratified the 1998 Rome Treaty and are therefore subject to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Therefore, I was extremely surprised when Hungary hosted the war criminal Netanyahu, whom the ICC has indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Then, Orbán announced Hungary's withdrawal from that institution.

International laws and institutions are civilized mechanisms that we have collectively imposed on ourselves to resolve conflicts and prevent barbarism. We cannot choose to respect them only when it suits us, nor threaten to disregard or abandon them based on political interests. Given this situation, we must ask: what is Europe doing in the face of this challenge? Why isn't it expelling Hungary from the European Union? And the International Criminal Court? Will it indict Orbán for concealing this?

As long as the cover-up artist Orbán remains in power, Hungary should not be part of the EU. And when the Hungarian people elect a president who respects democracy and the fundamental principles the European Union stands for, they can apply to rejoin, and they will be accepted back. But until then, their place is far from the European community.

Miguel Fernández-Palacios Gordon

Madrid

I won't be able to become independent

There are more and more cities where it's becoming impossible to live. Homes converted into tourist apartments, exorbitant prices, and 40-square-meter spaces disguised as cozy studios. Madrid, Malaga, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Santa Cruz de Tenerife... but also other cities, perhaps not as large or as well-known in the rest of the country. Thirty kilometers separate my city from Barcelona. Although if you look at the rental prices, they don't seem that high. 1,200, 1,400, 1,500 euros. These are the prices of the three apartments listed on Idealista in my neighborhood. 221 euros per night: that's the price an apartment from my blog is renting for on Airbnb. I no longer know if I live in Eixample, Sarrià, Gràcia, or my city, Terrassa. What I am sure of is that, neither now, at 21, nor for a long time to come, will I be able to become independent if this situation doesn't change.

Blanca Rodríguez Clemente

Terrace

Help from neighbors

A few days ago, I read an article in ARA about the case of Xavier, a resident of the Eixample district who has seen all his neighbors leave in just a few years because a fund has bought the building where he lives. I'm eighty years old, and in my building, some longtime neighbors have also had to leave. A while ago, we helped each other when someone was sick or needed anything. Now, I don't know anyone and we barely even greet each other in the elevator. The pandemic made us realize the importance of counting on the help of those who live near us. It was an emergency situation that highlighted the fact that others play a decisive role in our well-being. It's only been five years, and it seems we've forgotten that.

Roser López

Barcelona

The Hospital Clínic

We've always said we have good public hospitals. And it's true. Public healthcare is a gift. I'd like to publicly thank the entire staff at the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona for the magnificent care provided to a family member. They have an attitude toward patients that would be harshly criticized by those who find everything woke today: one of total empathy. This is how life has meaning.

Josep Robert Reig Miró

Barcelona