It is the responsibility of all Hungarian governments to do everything possible to lay bare the tragic consequences of the darkest period of the country's history and to care for its survivors in a worthy manner.

Accordingly, the allowance for certain individuals who wrongly suffered prolonged periods of incarceration – those taken to the Soviet Union for forced labour, those interned in labour camps under police custody, those who took part in the 1956 Revolution and those convicted during the show trials held between 1945 and 1963 – shall increase by 50 per cent from January 1, 2013. A further increase of 50 per cent, taking into account the base lifetime annuity paid out in 2012, will occur during the course of 2013.

The Government acknowledges and respects the victims of dictatorships, including the survivors of the Communist regime.

Through this measure, the Government has once again made it clear that it hold each of its Hungarian compatriots in equal esteem, no matter what oppressive system it has suffered under. The Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that everyone in Hungary may live in a secure and peaceful environment and be the valued members of our society.

(Prime Minister’s Office)