Hungary and the Hungary Helps Programme were honoured in Washington on Sunday for their exemplary efforts to support persecuted Christians and religious minorities, in connection with the International Religious Freedom Summit.
The award was presented at the Hungarian embassy in Washington during the opening ceremony of the major international conference starting on Monday. The recognition was accepted by Tristan Azbej, state secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade responsible for assisting persecuted Christians and overseeing the Hungary Helps Programme.
In his remarks, Azbej drew attention to the fact that the United States is marking the 250th anniversary of its independence this year. He added that Hungarians have learned through their history what it means to fight for freedom and religious liberty, recalling that the country experienced both totalitarian dictatorships of the 20th century, Nazism and communism.
He underlined that the core approach of the Hungary Helps Programme, which supports persecuted Christians and other religious communities, is to achieve results through direct human connections.
Speaking about the programme’s plans, Azbej said that in 2026, Hungarian support could help renovate schools and churches in Syria, assist children in Pakistan, contribute to church reconstruction in Iraq, and provide healthcare assistance in Nigeria.
Presenting the award, David Trimble, president of the Religious Freedom Institute and former prime minister of Ireland, stressed that Hungary’s activities are particularly deserving of recognition because aid is delivered directly to communities in need.
As host of the event, Hungary’s ambassador to the United States Szabolcs Takács said that the fact the Hungarian embassy hosted the opening event of the International Religious Freedom Summit symbolized Hungary’s long-standing commitment to freedom of religion.
The Religious Freedom Institute’s award was also presented to the two co-chairs of the international conference, President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights Katrina Lantos Swett and United States ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom Sam Brownback.
The International Religious Freedom Summit is expected to draw around 1800 to 2000 participants to Washington from Monday. Around 200 guests attended the opening ceremony at the Hungarian embassy, including representatives of the US government, several European politicians, and religious leaders from Nigeria and Syria.
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