According to the State Secretariat for Church, National Minority and Civil Society Relations of the Ministry of Human Resources, the decision of the European Court of Human Rights, adopted on 9th September, fits into the series of attacks carried out against Hungary by certain international interest groups.

In consideration of the damage claims filed with the Strasbourg court, it can be established, based on the nature and measure of these claims, that the parties concerned are primarily motivated by gaining material benefits and it is sad that an organisation claiming to protect human rights and recently gaining fame for another case too, actively participates in it (in an activity that aims at causing damage to tax paying Hungarian people).

The State Secretariat resents that the Court condemned our home country without taking into consideration the merits of the amendment of the Church Act that even the Constitutional Court did not find fault with in the meantime.
In Hungary, organisations engaged in religious activities are entitled to use the name ‘church’, to receive 1% of personal income tax and state funds for public services performed by them, the Budget Act provides for a separate operational fund for them, churches may engage in religious instruction, offer religious courses in institutions of higher education operated by them, and may exercise their right to assemble in the course of religious services, events and processions without restrictions.

For their public services, recognised churches are entitled to the same level of state funds as the state institutions, they may provide religious and ethics education in public schools and ecclesiastics are entitled to income tax and social security reductions. Through these Hungary not only provides the religious communities with the right to enjoy freedom of conscience and religion on European level, but supports them to an extent that is unique in Europe.

As a matter of course, the Government will study the final judgement and decide on the next steps accordingly and will inform the parties involved as well as the public in due course.

(Ministry of Human Capacities)