Prime Minister Viktor Orbán expressed in his letter to President of the World Jewish Congress Ronald S. Lauder that it is an honour for Hungary to host the 14th Plenary Assembly of the WJC in Budapest between 5-7 May, 2013.

The conference will discuss global issues concerning Jewish communities. János Lázár, Minister of State heading the Prime Minister’s Office declared that the Government will do everything in its power so that the human dignity of the participants and Hungarian Jewish communities cannot be harmed. Reaffirming this statement, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has instructed Minister of Interior Affairs Sándor Pintér to not allow any event or demonstration that could harm human dignity. In relation to the Prime Minister's order, the Captain of Budapest City Police banned an anti-Bolshevist and anti-Zionist demonstration organized in parallel with the opening of the World Jewish Congress. Numerous high-ranking governmental officials will participate in the event and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán will address the opening ceremony.

Various members of the government were shocked and condemned the fact that Ferenc Orosz, the Chairman of the Raoul Wallenberg Association, was assaulted by neo-nazis recently. Ferenc Orosz is a real companion in arms and an old friend both of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and myself – wrote Minister of Human Resources Zoltán Balog.

He declared that this foul deed has not dissuaded the Government and in fact has strengthened their resolve to take the most decisive possible action against all manifestations of hate speech and behaviour in the future, adding that the blows were sustained not only by the chairman of an organisation that stands up for human rights, and a member of Fidesz, but are also an assault against all Hungarian people of good heart.
Concerning the attack against Ferenc Orosz, Minister of Foreign Affairs János Martonyi expressed his sympathy and called it shameful and outrageous. János Martonyi said that the work that Ferenc Orosz performs as the head of the Raoul Wallenberg Association is highly acknowledged and he is a recognised and respected member of Hungarian society. He pointed out that they know full well that Ferenc Orosz and the members of the association perform this extremely important task, with which they reinforce the culture of mutual respect and sympathy, and which tolerates neither anti-Semitism nor any other form of discrimination, without receiving any compensation. János Martonyi concluded that he remains positive that it is due to the Wallenberg Memorial Year that was organized in cooperation with the Association, that there are ever increasing numbers of people who condemn this recent act and find it totally unacceptable.

Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér has assured the members of the Government that he will take all possible actions to apprehend the perpetrators so they may feel the full weight of justice.

30 April 2013

(Prime Minister’s Office)