We received news of the fact that the Coptic Christian community in Egypt suffered yet another attack and that this latest manifestation of violence claimed the lives of innocent people, including many children, with shock.

Hungary most categorically condemns this cowardly act of brutality perpetrated against innocent people, and is now asking the international community: how far can terrorism go, how much longer are we going to tolerate that our communities should live under a continuous threat? Christianity is the world’s most persecuted religion, four out of every five people persecuted on account of their religion are Christian. The international communities cannot pass over this in silence.

In Minya Governorate situated 250 kilometres from Cairo, 23 people lost their lives and 25 were injured when unknown armed perpetrators opened fire on a bus heading for a monastery. Hungary wishes to offer its most sincere condolences, and reassures the victims’ relatives of its sympathy, whilst wishing the injured a swift recovery.

The Government is ready to provide medical assistance for anyone who may be in need of this also in this instance, and reassures the Government of Egypt of its support and solidarity in the fight against terrorism.

Terrorist attacks levelled against the Coptic Christian community in Egypt are becoming ongoing. We are observing events with concern, and are speaking up against them in the most categorical terms. Last time there were bomb attacks at the Palm  Sunday services held at St. George Church in the city of Tanta, situated some 80 kilometres from Cairo, and at St. Mark’s Church in Alexandria, with approximately 50 fatalities and more than 100 injured in total. On 11 December 2016, 29 people lost their lives in St. Peter’s Church in Cairo, and in consequence of an offer made at the time, two Coptic women are receiving post-treatment in Hungary also at present.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/MTI)