Through the decree, parliament expresses solidarity with all persecuted religious minorities of the world, with special regard to Christian communities in Africa and the Middle East impacted by terrorism or threatened in their existence.

Hungary’s national assembly condemns terrorist acts committed by the Islamic State and other terrorist organisations or militias in the Middle East, as well as any act aimed at forcing people to change their religion, and it condemns the slayings in the religious communities of Syria or Iraq, the decree said.

In their justification, authors of the decree argued that Christians are currently the most persecuted religious community, with attacks being carried out in 80 countries, directly threatening some 200 million Christians.

They added that 78% of the people persecuted for religious reasons are Christians, and in four out of five attacks they are the targets.

Péter Harrach, group leader of the co-ruling Christian Democrats, welcomed the decree and voiced hope that other countries would join the efforts to fight anti-Christian attacks.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.