Budapest, 2 July 2012

Dear President Gyarmati,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear friends,

Today we are glad to find some common ideas, common convictions, common values. One of the basic messages of this conference is of course that there is an inseparable link between democracy and human rights. These two things are connected, they are able to bind: there is no democracy without full respect of human rights, and there is no respect of human rights and dignity without well-functioning, stable democracy.

It was in this spirit that a series of CODE conferences were launched last year, in parallel with the opening of the Lantos Institute. We are very grateful to the ICDT, and personally to President Gyarmati, for launching this initiative with a series of such conferences.

One of the major events was the opening of the Tom Lantos Institute. As most of you know very well, the Institute carries the name of the great Hungarian American Congressman, Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever elected to the U.S. legislature. Tom, who founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, was a staunch defender of the principle of human rights. It is therefore important to invoke his legacy when addressing a wide range of issues, such as the role of Europe in promoting democracy, human rights and multiculturalism, combatting prejudices and enhancing conflict prevention.

Those issues and the underlying values are all the more relevant these days, as we unfortunately witness many incidents in Europe and around the world that involve inciting hatred against minority groups, including but not limited to anti-Semitism, discrimination against the Roma, or attacks against members of national and religious minorities. I would just like to invoke that even a couple of days ago we discussed this issue in the Foreign Affairs Council, the issue of atrocities or violence against religious minorities, including Christian minorities, in some of the countries. It is my belief that we should pursue a more coordinated approach among democracies, in Europe, across the Atlantic and elsewhere in the world, when addressing these challenges before the danger of extremism becomes even more serious.

The Hungarian Government is aware that our country and our nation are not immune either in the face of this challenge. I strongly believe, however, that the voices of extremism, undoubtedly present also in Hungary, are marginalized by the majority public opinion. I can confirm that all these elements are and will be addressed with the strongest determination by the country. Political decision-makers in Hungary consider religious or ethnic minorities as an integral and valuable part of Hungarian culture and society and they are committed to stand up for the minorities’ protection. I fully share the views of our President of the Republic, János Áder, in this respect – let me quote him: “We should make it clear once and for all, that no one should feel they have the right to insult, humiliate, threaten or exclude anyone on the grounds of religion, origin, culture or national identity.” In that spirit we not only fight and condemn extremist incidents, whenever and in whichever form they might occur, but we intend to use all the means, including the legal instruments, at our disposal, always of course within the limits of democracy and the rule of law. We will prevent further incidents, and if they are not prevented, we shall apply the law, including prosecution of those responsible. The legal instruments at our disposal have been substantially strengthened, widened and enhanced in the last two years and are and will be implemented with full severeness and determination.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The CODE conference this year is dedicated to the commemoration of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat whose legacy continues to strengthen our belief in universal human values and in the capacity of man to remain righteous in the face of inhumanity. The fate of this courageous rescuer encapsulates the tragedy of the 20th century: Wallenberg fought against a dictatorship and consequently disappeared in the prisons of another totalitarian power.

As most of you are aware, the Hungarian government honours the 100th anniversary of the birth of Wallenberg with a year-long series of commemorative events organized both in Hungary and beyond. Exhibitions are arranged in many countries across the world. I myself opened some of those exhibitions: one in Skopje, one in Buenos Aires, and one in Brasilia. And these events go on. A very important event will take place in the upcoming weeks in Israel, hopefully with the participation of the President of Hungary.

By commemorating the man, we also recall an inhuman chapter of the history of our country when the Hungarian State was weighed on the scales and found wanting. Therefore, it is the conviction of the Hungarian government that it is of crucial importance to unveil our past and learn from its lessons. Let me highlight at this point one particular program of the Centennial: the Wallenberg High School competition. It is important to emphasize that more than 110 high schools applied for the competition from all around Hungary. These young students took their time to study in great detail the horrors of the Second World War and the Holocaust, and at the same time, to discover the deeds and heroism of the rescuers.

While remembering an era of darkness filled with tragedy for all Hungarians indeed, it is nonetheless reassuring to note that through his person, Wallenberg himself is, to this day, binding several countries together: Sweden, Hungary, Israel, the United States and indeed, all mankind. All these countries cooperate in many areas of promoting democracy and human rights, and of course in preserving and commemorating the legacy of Wallenberg. While historical remembrance has an important role in educating younger generations, we also pursue a forward-looking approach to promoting the legacy of both Wallenberg and Tom Lantos. It is undoubtedly our duty to face the past, never forget the crimes that have been committed and to shoulder one another’s pain. My most sincere hope is, however, that if we are able to take all these steps, we will also be able to forgive one another one day.

The rescuers dared to stand up for universal values under any circumstances. I believe that this conference, which I hope will be followed by many similar events organized by the ICDT and the Lantos Institute, will serve as yet another contribution to promoting democracy and human rights in our time.

I thank you for your attention.

(kormany.hu)