In a historic move to defend persecuted Christians worldwide, the United States and Hungary have signed a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding to facilitate cooperation in supporting Christians and people of faith facing persecution, particularly in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa.

A Golden Era of U.S.-Hungary Relations

On February 4th, Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas and Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and the Hungary Helps Program, Tristan Azbej, signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) at a ceremony that underscored the deepening partnership between the two nations on matters of religious freedom and human rights.

This agreement strongly reaffirms the United States’ and Hungary’s commitment to defending their common heritage and promoting religious freedom around the world. The partnership represents a significant milestone in what officials are calling a “golden era of U.S.-Hungary relations.”

The Global Crisis of Christian Persecution

According to the U.S. Department of State, Christians are the most persecuted religious group worldwide, yet atrocities and attacks against them too often go unaddressed. This persecution represents not only a humanitarian crisis but also presents a threat to American security and undermines the values upon which the United States was founded.

The persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa has reached alarming levels, with communities facing violence, displacement, discrimination, and systematic marginalization. From extremist attacks to government-sanctioned oppression, believers face daily threats to their safety, livelihoods, and ability to practice their faith freely.

Hungary: A Leader in Defending Persecuted Christians

The U.S. Department of State praised Hungary for answering the call to provide life-saving assistance to those endangered by religious persecution, affirming Hungary’s place “as a true leader and defender of persecuted Christians.”

Hungary’s commitment to this cause is exemplified through its Hungary Helps Program, led by State Secretary Tristan Azbej. This program has provided direct aid to Christian communities facing persecution around the world, focusing on practical assistance that enables believers to remain in their ancestral homelands rather than being forced into exile.

Key Provisions of the Memorandum

While specific details of the MOU are being coordinated through the State Department’s Office of International Religious Freedom, the agreement is designed to facilitate cooperation in several critical areas:

Geographic Focus: Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa

The partnership will concentrate efforts in two critical regions where Christian communities face the most severe persecution:

The Middle East: Once home to thriving Christian communities dating back to the earliest days of Christianity, the Middle East has seen dramatic decline in Christian populations due to violence, discrimination, and forced displacement. Countries like Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and others have witnessed devastating attacks on Christian communities, churches, and cultural heritage sites.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Christian communities across sub-Saharan Africa face threats from extremist groups, ethnic violence, and governmental discrimination. Nigeria alone has seen thousands of Christians killed in recent years, while communities in countries like Sudan, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of Congo face ongoing persecution.

A Call to Allied Nations

The United States continues to call on allies worldwide to join in providing life-saving assistance to those endangered by religious persecution. This partnership with Hungary serves as a model for international cooperation in defense of religious freedom and demonstrates what can be achieved when nations unite around shared values.

Why Religious Freedom Matters to American Security

The State Department’s media note emphasized that persecution of religious minorities “presents a threat to American security and undermines the values upon which our nation was built.” This connection between religious freedom abroad and American security reflects several critical realities:

Moving Forward: Implementation and Impact

With the MOU now signed, both nations will work to implement coordinated programs and initiatives to support persecuted Christians and other religious minorities. The partnership is expected to leverage the strengths and resources of both countries to maximize impact on the ground.

The Office of International Religious Freedom at the U.S. Department of State will coordinate implementation of the agreement. Those seeking further information about the MOU can contact IRFPress@state.gov.

A Model for International Cooperation

This partnership between the United States and Hungary represents more than just a bilateral agreement—it serves as a model for how nations can work together to defend fundamental human rights and protect vulnerable populations. By combining resources, expertise, and political will, the U.S. and Hungary are demonstrating that effective action against religious persecution is both possible and imperative.

As Christian communities in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa face unprecedented challenges, this partnership offers hope that the international community is prepared to stand with them, provide tangible support, and work toward a future where all people can practice their faith freely and without fear.

Conclusion: A Historic Partnership for Human Dignity

The signing of this memorandum of understanding marks a significant milestone in the global fight for religious freedom. As Deputy Secretary Rigas and State Secretary Azbej put pen to paper, they affirmed that defending persecuted Christians is not just a moral imperative but a shared responsibility that transcends borders.

In an era of increasing challenges to religious liberty worldwide, this partnership between the United States and Hungary stands as a beacon of hope—demonstrating that when nations unite around the fundamental values of human dignity and religious freedom, meaningful change becomes possible.

The true measure of this agreement’s success will be found not in diplomatic ceremonies or official statements, but in the lives saved, communities rebuilt, and futures secured for Christians and people of faith who have long suffered in silence. Through this partnership, both nations are sending a clear message: persecuted believers will not be forgotten, and the cause of religious freedom will not be abandoned.