2014 will be the 70th anniversary of the darkest chapter in the Hungarian holocaust, the extermination of Hungarian Jews. For reasons of mourning and remembrance, and to increase awareness of the tragic events of 1944, on the recommendation of Hungarian Jewish organisations and based on the proposal of the Prime Minister, the Government is to establish the Hungarian Holocaust Memorial 2014 Committee.

According to the Government's decision, the Memorial Committee will be headed by State Secretary in charge of the Prime Minister's Office János Lázár. The body will perform its activities from 1 January 2013 until 31 December 2014. The Government of Hungary requests the leaders of the Jewish Heritage of Hungary Public Endowment (MAZSÖK), the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (MAZSIHISZ), the Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregation (EMIH), the Autonomous Orthodox Jewish Community of Hungary, the Hungarian Jewish Cultural Association (MAZSIKE) and the National Association of Former Labour Battalion Conscripts (MUSZOE), the President of Board of Trustees of the "March of the Living' Foundation, the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Hungary, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Hungary, the President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Public Administration and Justice, the Minister of Foreign Affairs,  the Minister of Human Resources and the Minister of Defence to participate in the work of the Memorial Committee.

The Government of Hungary remembers the victims of dictatorships with respect and appreciation, including the survivors of the Holocaust. According to Law X. of 1997, over 8000 Hungarian survivors receive regular pension supplements, which based on its decision yesterday the Government wishes to increase by fifty percent from January 2013 and a further fifty percent in 2014.

(Office of the Government Spokesperson)