Political leadership key to implementing zero-tolerance policy towards anti-Semitism in Hungary, say OSCE officials during joint visit

BUDAPEST, 18 June 2015 – Political leaders have to take decisive action to counter anti-Semitism in Hungary, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, said today in Budapest.

Director Link and Rabbi Baker were speaking on the second day of a two-day visit for meetings with senior government officials, as well as with representatives of civil society and the Jewish community in Hungary.

“OSCE commitments highlight the important role played by political leaders in countering anti-Semitism, but talk is not enough – what’s needed is action,” Director Link said. “We see many opportunities to demonstrate such leadership in Hungary and are very concerned about worrying expressions of anti-Semitism in public discourse. We are here to discuss what more can be done to bring about positive change and establish effective, comprehensive and sustainable responses to anti-Semitism.”

The two held meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó and other officials to discuss what measures can be undertaken to implement the Prime Minister’s stated zero-tolerance policy towards anti-Semitism in Hungary.

“Anti-Semitism, manifest more in extremist rhetoric than violent incidents, has contributed to the sense of anxiety and uncertainty felt by many Hungarian Jews,” said Rabbi Baker. “A number of highly publicized projects in recent years have cast doubt on the government’s willingness to deal clearly with its past, a particularly sensitive matter since the Hungarian Jewish community is almost entirely composed of Holocaust survivors and their descendants.”

András Heisler, the President of the Federation of Jewish Communities (Mazsihisz) stressed to the visiting officials the importance of international co-operation in fighting anti-Semitism.

“We welcome the OSCE visit and see it as a reinforcement of our efforts to make our voice heard on challenges related to anti-Semitism and the Holocaust,” Heisler said. “Last year, a strong stance by Jewish organizations, coupled with international support, resulted in an attitudinal change in the Hungarian Government, which made positive gestures, including the renovation of synagogues, homes for the elderly and rural Jewish cemeteries.”

Link and Baker welcomed the government’s inclusion of educational programmes as part of these initiatives, and noted the significance of its ongoing dialogue with the Jewish community on matters of concern.

“While more work must still be done, and recognizing that continued public support for the Jobbik Party reflected in opinion surveys is a cause for special concern, there has been a marked improvement in the situation compared to a year ago,” said Rabbi Baker.

“I recognize that the Hungarian Government has recently undertaken measures to demonstrate its commitment in this area,” said Director Link. “These are important initial steps, and I call on the Government to do what is necessary to address Hungary’s Holocaust history accurately and contemporary manifestations of anti-Semitism effectively. ODIHR is ready to assist the authorities with awareness-raising and capacity-building measures.”

The importance of developing adequate and comprehensive responses to anti-Semitism was emphasized at a high level event in November to mark the 10th Anniversary of the OSCE’s Berlin Conference on Anti-Semitism. The visit by the ODIHR Director and Personal Representative on Combating Anti-Semitism is the direct result of a Ministerial Council Declaration in Basel in December, in which OSCE participating States pledged to enhance their efforts to counter anti-Semitism.

For further information, please contact Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, at +48 609 522 266.