"Everyone should work towards ensuring that people will never be excluded, abused or killed based on their origin or religion", said Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér at the award ceremony during which Ambassador of Israel to Hungary Ilan Mor presented the Jerusalem-based Yad Vashem Institute’s "Righteous among the Nations" awards, and Minister Pintér the Hungarian "For Courage" Honours.

The Righteous among the Nations honour is granted to people who risked their lives during the Holocaust to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis. The honour has so far been awarded to 791 Hungarians. On Thursday, 11 Hungarians were given the title posthumously, accepted by relatives of the deceased. The awards of those who have no living relatives will be transferred to the care of the Yad Vashem Institute. The Hungarian For Courage Honours are grated for courageous civic duty and for several years it has been issued together with the Righteous among the Nations award.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s letter was read out by Ambassador Ilan Mor, in which the Prime Minister wrote that the Hungarian nation suffered a severe loss through the deaths during the Holocaust, adding that the deeds of those who saved lives is a source of pride to all of us.  The letter states that the Hungarian Government will cooperate with Israel in the future regarding this serious issue and will stay deeply committed to the memory of the Holocaust, which will be a priority in the Government’s political agenda.

In his speech, Ambassador Mor said that ignorance was the main cause that enabled the Shoa to happen, during which humanity showed its worst face. He emphasised that the media has a large responsibility in making the issues of ignorance and anti-Semitism part of the public debate in order to strengthen the democratic values of Hungarian society.

Minister Pintér drew attention to the fact that firm action needs to be taken against efforts that threaten the democratic society, human rights and liberties. We have to prevent extremist and exclusionary behaviour since it poses a danger, even nowadays – he added.

The Minister emphasized: hatred, anti-Semitism and racism are always poisonous and unacceptable. If we admit that and act accordingly, then we have a chance and will be able to find the common moral ground upon which we can build or lives, our country and our future. He expressed his hope that irrational and inhumane hatred will never return to Hungary and that exclusionary views, according to which people can be persecuted due to their origin, religion or ethnicity will never spread again.

Swedish diplomat Raoul Wallenberg contributed to saving the lives of more than 200 thousand Jews in 1944 by issuing protective passports and establishing safe houses. His example was followed by many others: diplomats, religious and secular people – noted Minister Pintér. Since the diplomat was born 100 years ago, the Hungarian government has decided to declare year 2012 the Wallenberg Year – he added.

(Prime Minister’s Office)