Remarks by Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis delivered at EU Point, Millenaris Park

October 26, 2011

I’m honored to be here today at the Foundation for Subjective Values' workshop on Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Extremism Against Immigrants in Central Europe. Thank you to Marcell Lőrincz and to the Subjective Values Foundation for inviting me and for all the work that you are doing on this very important topic. Also, thank you to the EU and for the EU Head of Representation here in Hungary, Tamás Szücs, for hosting this event today at the EU Point.

The U.S. Embassy in Hungary, alongside the EU, is committed to supporting  the Subjective Values Foundations' efforts and of you all here today in combating prejudice and hatred.  As a child and grandchild of immigrants, I have a personal connection to today's theme.

The United States encourages the free and broad exchange of ideas and opinions in order to create a culture of tolerance, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence of all religions and cultures.  Countries and civil societies that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, more economically and socially successful, and definitely more secure.

From long experience, the United States has learned that certain measures can be effective in countering intolerance and promoting respect.  Among these are legal prohibitions on discrimination and hate crimes, strong law enforcement, public education and training, and inter-faith and intra-group dialogue.  We believe these elements are foundational pillars of any action plan to address real discrimination, intolerance, and bigotry.

Both American and Hungarian societies are based on common values of free speech and freedom of expression. However, there is no place in civic political discourse for groups that foster a climate of fear and violence.  Calls for violence against religious and minority groups are abhorrent and stand in stark opposition to fundamental human rights.

We commend the Hungarian government’s commitment to protect the rights of all citizens, no matter what their racial, cultural, or social heritage.  We were heartened to see the commitment of the Government of Hungary and a parliamentary committee to investigate the racist and hate speech by extremist groups at the Magyar Sziget music festival this past summer. We also applaud the Hungarian Government in identifying the Roma issue as one of its priorities during its presidency of the European Union earlier this year, as well as recent statements that the government will not tolerate the intimidation of minority or ethnic groups within Hungary. We stand together with Hungary ready to counter hatred wherever it should appear – either here or in the United States.

As our annual Human Rights Reports in all countries around the world illustrate, problems remain. These challenges make it all the more important that you are able to share best practices across borders here today.

The United States government has also been working with our partners across Europe to address these issues.  The U.S. Embassy here in Hungary is continually looking for ways we can support governmental and non-governmental actors working to address issues of prejudice, discrimination and extremism.  Tolerance programs are a priority for us and we have spoken out in support of minorities of religious, ethnic, gender and sexual orientation.

 For example, in December 2010 we collaborated with the office of State Secretary Zoltan Balog, the Norwegian Embassy in Budapest and the Open Society Institute to organize a day-long symposium on Roma inclusion and trained prosecutors, judges and police on working in a multi-cultural environment.    In June 2011 we worked closely with British, Dutch, Norwegian, and Canadian partners to host a seminar with the Ministry of the Interior to exchange best practices in multi-cultural policing.  

We also run yearly summer tolerance camps with Roma and non-Roma children aimed at instituting an atmosphere of tolerance among Hungary's youth and the youth of the Central European and Balkan region.  And we lead by example through the Embassy Roma Fellowships, which give talented university students of Roma origin the chance to develop business skills and improved English language abilities.

We have worked with Marcell in the past in supporting the Music Against Racism effort here in Hungary.  Similarly, we have supported the Hungarian LGBT community, especially during Budapest Pride Week activities.

Just a few weeks ago, our embassy organized a series of civil society workshops aimed at empowering non-governmental organizations, including many organizations representing minorities and unrepresented groups in Hungary. In fact some of the Hungarian representatives here today were also at those trainings.

We will continue to initiate and support similar activities and are also proud to support the Subjective Values Foundation’s tolerance education and training programs in twenty schools throughout Hungary.

 I look around the room today and I am truly encouraged to see your commitment to implementing change through advocacy, education and cross-border alliances.  Please know that the United States Embassy in Hungary stands with you in your efforts.  

I would like to close by quoting President Barack Obama, who you all know is our country's first African-American president, and also the child of an immigrant father.  President Obama's achievement -- and the progress our country has made in accepting diversity – was put into sharp focus recently at the inauguration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial in Washington, D.C.

In praising the heroism and legacy of Dr. King, one of our country's greatest Civil Rights leaders,  President Obama said:  "Look at the faces here around you, and you see an America that is more fair and more free and more just than the one Dr. King addressed that day [in 1963].  We are right to savor that slow but certain progress -– progress that’s expressed itself in a million ways, large and small, across this nation every single day, as people of all colors and creeds live together, and work together, and fight alongside one another, and learn together, and build together, and love one another."
The United States has come a long way.  With good people like you, I believe your countries will make that successful journey too.  Thank you.