Hate speech cannot be permitted; it is our moral obligation to stand by its targets, Foreign Minister János Martonyi told a conference in Budapest December 6, 2012.

In the communist Rákosi era after World War II, Wallenberg’s helpers were persecuted not rewarded, Minister Martonyi told historians at the event marking the birth centenary of Raoul Wallenberg. “Today we live in a more fortunate era where it is easier and less risky to do good. It is our responsibility to make the world move in this direction; to step out of the shadow of the 20th century,” he said. The Minister also expressed his gratitude for all those who have participated in the series of events of the Wallenberg Memorial Year both domestically and internationally.

József Pálinkás, President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, also called for action against hate speech. “Inhumanity must be stopped at the words,” he stated.

The Hungarian Government declared 2012 Wallenberg Year to commemorate all those who saved lives, amidst the inhumanity of oppressive regimes. The Conference organized at the Academy of Sciences was one of the closing events of the year.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)