On 28 October Tristan Azbej, Minister of State for Helping Persecuted Christians and the Implementation of the Hungary Helps Programme at the Prime Minister’s Office was received by Rehman Chishti, the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief in his office in order to conduct consultations regarding the experiences of the Hungary Helps Programme launched at the end of 2016.

The fundamental principle of the Hungarian government’s humanitarian programme is that help must be taken where there are problems, rather than bringing problems here. Another priority goal of the programme is to provide assistance for the most persecuted religious minority, Christians.

After the release of the Mountstephen Report, the British government, too, is paying particular attention to helping persecuted Christians. The independent report commissioned by the British Foreign Office concluded that 80 per cent of persecuted religious believers are Christians.

At the talks, in addition to exchanging experiences about humanitarian assistance, the parties also discussed possible common projects which could alleviate the consequences of Islamist terrorism in East Africa.

In conclusion of the meeting, Rehman Chishti expressed his appreciation in connection with the Hungary Helps Programme, describing the efforts Hungary is making for persecuted Christians as valuable.

After the meeting, Mr Azbej also had talks with senior legal experts and the leaders of philanthropic organisations that treat the cause of persecuted Christians as a priority.

(MTI)