In the Hungarian Defence Forces it does not matter where you come from, whether you are rich or poor, what religion of belief you belong to.

The only thing which matters is whether you are willing to work and if necessary fight for what the red-white-green tricolour symbolises, Minister of Defence Csaba Hende emphasised after the premiere of film “Roma Soldiers in the Forces” in Budapest last Thursday.

Mr Hende said, “this film presents such Roma people who succeeded”. They have found their position in life and become equal members of the military community. With their own hard work and the support of the HDF they managed to break away from poverty and “from those vicious circles in which poverty kept them entangled” the Minister of Defence said.

In the film soldiers from vitéz Szurmay Sándor Budapest Garrison Brigade and those of the NCO Academy in Szentendre appear who do not hide their Roma roots and have already proven themselves in the military. Through telling the stories of five soldiers the film presents the opportunities offered to Roma people by the Hungarian Defence Forces. “I decided to become somebody” one of the soldiers in the film says, while another of them emphasises “learn, learn and learn because this is the only escape route from poverty.” In the film it is also said “a soldier is a respected person in Hungary.”

The Minister of Defence said they all would like to see more Roma soldiers in the HDF.

Minister of State for Social Inclusion of the Ministry of Human Resources Mr Péter Garai said he would do his best to present this career to Roma youth so that as many as possible young Roma people could find their way to the HDF.

After the presentation of the film Ms Edina Buri, Head of Cabinet of the National Roma Council (ORÖ) communicated the regards of National Roma Council President Mr Flórián Farkas. She reminded that in May 2011 the Hungarian government concluded a framework agreement with the ORÖ, committed to the execution of tasks aimed at the social integration of the Roma people. On the basis of that agreement a cooperation agreement was made between the ORÖ and the Ministry of Defence one year ago.

Ms Buri regarded this year useful and highlighted that the MoD played a pioneering role in activities assisting the social integration of the Roma people.

(Ministry of Defence)