On Feb. 4, the United States and Hungary entered into an agreement to combat Christian persecution.
Following the annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Department of State issued a press release stating that the initiative is meant “to facilitate cooperation in supporting Christians and people of faith facing persecution, particularly in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.”
“Christians are the most persecuted religious group worldwide, yet atrocities and attacks against them too often go unaddressed,” the State Department said. “Such persecution presents a threat to American security and undermines the values upon which our nation was built. The United States continues to call on our allies to join in providing life-saving assistance to those endangered by religious persecution.
“Hungary has answered that call, once again affirming its place as a true leader and defender of persecuted Christians.”
Hungary’s government has been active for years aiding persecuted Christians through its official office of Aid of Persecuted Christians, and it has frequently hosted events at its D.C. embassy during IRF Summits.
Aside from its focus on the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, no other details about the project’s scope were shared.
“The agreement is promising, and it has the potential to have a meaningful impact in these regions,” according to International Christian Concern’s human rights counsel. “We eagerly encourage one or both of these governments to follow up this announcement in the near future with the specific steps they plan to take towards this noble goal. This work is too important for persecuted communities around the globe to be left waiting indefinitely in the planning stages.”
