 3/26/2018 - On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the American Hungarian Federation
and the
Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation hosted a Congressional Reception commemorating Hungarian National Day, Lajos Kossuth and the 1848 Hungarian War of Independence, and honoring Representatives Andy Harris (R-MD) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). [read more]
 3/17/2018 - The American Hungarian Federation's annual commemoration of Hungarian National Day and the anniversary of itshistoric 1848 democratic revolution led by Louis Kossuth for 2018 was held at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC on March 10th. [Read more]
 02/08/2018 - The American Hungarian Federation issues Statement on the Occasion of the Unveiling of a
Statue Honoring Congressman Tom Lantos.
A statue honoring former U.S. Congressman and Holocaust survivor Tom Lantos was unveiled in Budapest, Hungary on Thursday, February 1, 2018. Congressman Lantos was a close friend of the Federation. [read more]
 01/18/2017 - AHF condemns refusal by Ukraine to amend its anti-minority education law. AHF is concerned that Article 7 of the new Ukrainian education law limits the right of sizable minorities living in Ukraine, including Hungarians, Poles and Romanians, to continue to be educated in their mother tongue beyond the fourth grade: "AHF believes a cornerstone of U.S. security interests in a region that has not always been tolerant of its Hungarian (and other) minorities is the protection of minority language rights in accordance with Western standards and bilateral agreements." [read more]
 12/19/2017 - Representatives of the American Hungarian Federation (AHF) met with U.S. Congressman Andy Harris, co-chair of the Hungarian Congressional Caucus, and his legislative director, Timothy Daniels, Esq. to discuss matters of mutual interest to AHF and the Caucus. The discussion focused on AHF's recent letter to Assistant Secretary of State Wess Mitchell objecting to a funding proposal by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of $700,000 of U.S. taxpayers money to private groups in Hungary to establish a media resource to counter what the State Department contends is one-sided press coverage of Hungary's government and policies. [read more]
 12/06/2017 - AHF writes letter to US Department of State to express its deep concern over the its Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor's (DRL) intent to take active measures to intervene in Hungary's political environment. AHF, founded 110 years ago, has long supported positive bilateral relations between the United States and Hungary as a means of advancing U.S. strategic interests in Central and Eastern Europe and feels such public criticism jeopardizes those interests. [read more]
 11/29/2017 - The Hungarian Reformed Church of Washington, DC and the Rozsafa Ensemble cordially invite you to a charity Christmas concert benefiting the St. Francis of Deva Foundation. [read more]
 11/6/2017 -AHF Celebrated 110 years of service to the community! AHF held its 110th Gala Anniversary of the American Hungarian Federation's incorporation in Cleveland Ohio, and over a century of service at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC on October 21. The program was a nostalgic look back at the Hungarians' immigration to the US and the extraordinary service of many persons who came to the aid of those coming to their new home. A special thank you to the Embassy and staff for their helpfulness. [read more]
 10/25/2017 - AHF congratulates former Ambassador of Hungary to the United States Réka Szemerkényi on her well-deserved appointment as executive vice president at the Center for European Policy Analysis, CEPA [read more]
 10/11/2017 - AHF meets with Ambassador Kurt Volker to discuss current issues of interest to members of AHF, including Ukraine's new language law that curtails the Hungarian community's right to study in their mother tongue. AHF congratulated Ambassador Volker on his appointment as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations. [read more]
![June - August issue of Transylvania Today - Hungarian minority rights continue to be a major issue for the American Hungarian Federation (AHF). What follows is a rundown of recent developments of concern to us in Transylvania. [read more]](images/transylvaniatoday/erdely_cimer_125.gif) June - August issue of Transylvania Today - Hungarian minority rights continue to be a major issue for the American Hungarian Federation (AHF). What follows is a rundown of recent developments of concern to us in Transylvania. Although Romania co-signed the European laws protecting such minority rights, their implementation has been lacking and of little proven benefit to the broader Hungarian community.The Hungarian community in Transylvania continues to experience systematic discrimination by Romanian authorities, including illegal arrests, closure of Hungarian institutions that include schools, and prevention of Hungarian cultural activities.[read more]
09/13/2017 - AHF submits letter to US Secretary of State Tillerson regarding the inexplicable decision by Ukraine prohibiting Hungarian children of western Ukraine to study in their mother tongue (as well as in Ukrainian) beyond the 4th grade. That discriminatory law threatens the Hungarian minority’s culture and infringes on fundamental freedoms insofar as the survival of any national minority is to a large extent dependent on its ability to preserve and cultivate its culture, especially its language. [read more]
 8/30/2017 - Open Letter to Gyorgy Lazar, Hungarian Free Press:
Considering the “fake news” and misinformation that finds its way to the internet, readers need to heed the flashing yellow light, i.e., read and rely upon postings of a political nature with great caution! With few exceptions, responding to such postings is a waste of time as disseminating truth is not the authors’ motive. Not this time. [read more]
 8/23/2017 - AHF issues statement condemning hatred and violence. The American Hungarian Federation (AHF) unequivocally and forcefully condemns any and all manifestations of hatred, xenophobia, discrimination and domestic terrorism. The Hungarian community understands first-hand the impact of these evil manifestations.
 UPDATE - According to an August 29 report in JTA, a monument to Jewish Holocaust victims was vandalized in the Hungarian town of Balf. [read more]
 8/20/2017 - AHF Leadership Retreat: AHF leadership held an all-day long retreat on August 19, 2017. “We wanted to review our mission and activities which for more than a century have successfully filled and continues to fill a gap in our community,” said AHF president Akos Nagy. [read more]
 7/14/2017 - July 7 is now Ferenc Koszorus Memorial Day. As part of the Ferenc Koszorus Memorial Day sponsored by the Hungarian Ministry of Defense on July 7, 2017, newly engraved references on the plinth of the Col. Koszorus bust were unveiled. The references relate to Col. Koszorus’ military intervention that precluded the deportation of the Jewish population in Budapest.
[read more]
 7/14/2017 - On July 7, 2014, AHF Chairman, Frank Koszorus, Jr., met with US Chargé d'Affaires, David J. Kostelancik of the United States Embassy in Budapest. The discussion covered a number of issues but focused on steps that could be taken to improve U.S./Hungarian bilateral relations. The meeting followed the Ferenc Koszorus Memorial Day event in Budapest.
 6/12/2017 - AHF lays wreath on the "10th Annual Roll Call of Nations" at the Victims of Communism Memorial. The American Hungarian Federation was proud to participate in the 10th Annual "Roll Call of Nations Wreath Laying Ceremony" honoring the memory of more than 100 million victims of communist regimes. On June 9th, AHF placed a wreath at the foot of the Victims of Communism Memorial statue, the "Goddess of Democracy," a replica of the statue erected by Chinese students protesting in Tiananmen Square in 1989.
[read more]
 05/12/2017 - AHF receives "Friend of Hungary" award: The Friends of Hungary Foundation held its 4th World Conference from May 5th to the 7th in Budapest. The Foundation is a non-profit organization formally established in 2011 with the aim of promoting the successful activities of Hungarians worldwide. Over 200 notable Hungarian expatriates, leaders, and friends of Hungary from 24 countries attended this conference. The Hungarian President János Áder hosted members of the Friends of Hungary Foundation with First Lady Anita Herczegh at the presidential palace.
[read more]
4/22/2017 - AHF Celebrated 110 years of service to the community! New York area AHF members celebrated the 110th Anniversary of the American Hungarian Federation's incorporation and service to the community at the Garfield Hungarian Citizens League on April 22, 2017.There was a full house with featuring leaders of Hungarian civic organizations in the four state area comprised of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
[read more]
3/17/2017 - The American Hungarian Federation's annual commemoration of Hungarian National Day and the anniversary of its historic 1848 democratic revolution led by Louis Kossuth for 2017 was held at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC and coincided with a meeting of the Regional Hungarian Diaspora Council. The keynote addresses were provided by Deputy State Secretary Dr. Péter Szilágyi and AHF Chairman Frank Koszorus, Jr. [read more]
02/08/2017 - AHF continues its outreach to the new administration, submits letter to Secretary of State Tillerson urging the United States to adopt a new approach to bilateral relations with Hungary. The letter urges the administration to "advance U.S. strategic interests and goals in the region as well as promote American values and hold out its accomplishments in a manner that will inspire positive reforms, including the treatment of Hungarian minorities in Hungary’s neighboring countries. [read more]
 01/24/2017 - AHF submits letter to President Trump on improving American-Hungarian relations and urging his Administration to adopt a new approach to our bilateral relations with Hungary. The letter noted, "misunderstandings have resulted in flawed and self-defeating policies that tend to foster disillusionment with the U.S. among Hungarians and thereby damage U.S. strategic interests." [read more]
 January issue of Transylvania Today - Hungarian minority rights continue to be a major issue for the American Hungarian Federation (AHF). What follows is a rundown of recent developments of concern to us in Transylvania. [read more]
 12/1/2016 - The American Hungarian Federation Chairman of the Board attends 6th Hungarian Diaspora Council... AHF Chairman, Frank Koszorus, Jr., traveled to Budapest to attend the 6th Hungarian Diaspora Council meeting held on November 30, 2016. The Council is devoted to safeguarding the Hungarian Diaspora's physical cultural heritage. [read more]
 11/18/2016 - AHF Chairman receives Gábor Bethlen Award: AHF Chairman, Frank Koszorus, was honored for his service to the Hungarian-American community and decades long work on autonomy and minority rights for Rumania's 1.5 million-strong Hungarian community in Transylvania. Hungarian Parliamentary Vice-President, Sándor Lezsák presented the award. [Read more and see his comments in Hungarian]
 11/02/2016 - AHF Co-Sponsored screening of "Torn from the Flag" as part of the series of Events in Honor of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight. AHF is proud to be the first Hungarian American organization to support this documentary film about the significant international consequences and participants of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Klaudia Kovacs’ multi-award-winning sociopolitical historical documentary was the last film of legendary cinematographer László Kovács.
[read more]
 10/25/2016 - AHF sends follow up to US Ambassador to Rumania for praising Rumania's "model democracy." "Considering the irrefutable record of discrimination, intolerance, and anti-democratic attitudes, practices and policies by Romanian authorities, not to mention your experience relative to the Szekely flag, we are puzzled... by your statement last week praising Romania for being a model of democracy and observing the rights of minorities. [read more]
 10/13/2016 - AHF Chairman addresses National Defense University on the 60th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. "I remember that as I matured, the often articulated view that 'well, we couldn’t go to war over Hungary' somehow didn’t quite sound right to me." [read more]
October issue of Transylvania Today - Hungarian minority rights continue to be limited throughout Transylvania, but the people’s resolve remains strong and has been encouraged by the recent visit of the American Ambassador to Romania. [read more]
 10/18/2016 - Mit üzen a múlt a jövőnek? Külföld, vélemény, belföld, USA, 1956, történelem, 1944, Koszorús Ferenc, Szovjetunió, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Foster Dulles. "Ennek a kormányzatnak a cselekvőképtelensége, ötlettelensége, a helyzet hallgatólagos elfogadása meggyőzte a szovjeteket, hogy a magyar forradalom és bármilyen utólagos lázadás leverésével vajmi keveset kockáztatnak." [tovabb]
9/29/2016 - The "Hungarian Free Press" attacked AHF for supporting a senior American diplomat who had the wisdom and courage to pose with the Szekely flag. While it is our general policy not to respond to such attacks, we make an exception when appropriate.
[read more]
9/15/2016 - AHF thanks US Ambassador for his "moral and political courage in being photographed with the Szekler flag... It is unacceptable for Romania to stifle measures by the Hungarian minority, such as using the Szekler flag, to preserve their unique culture in their ancient homeland and to overcome the effects of discrimination, persecution, and in some instances violence they have faced." [read more]
 9/13/2016 - AHF issues statement on Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe. Throughout its more than 100 year old existence, AHF has decried and vigorously opposed manifestations of xenophobia, discrimination, racism and hate directed at national, ethnic, racial and religious minorities, including but not limited to expressions of anti-Semitism and hate speech directed against any minority group. Sadly the rights of Hungarian minorities have been largely ignored. [read more]
9/11/2016 - AHF honors the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. We will never forget.
 8/8/2016 - With the active participation of AHF, the Central and East European Coalition issued a statement reaffirming the need for strong U.S. leadership in Europe. "The security of the United States lies in the peaceful expansion of democracy, not in the appeasement of aggressor states making imperial claims." [read more]
 AHF Launches New Transylvania Quarterly - Founded over 100 years ago, the American Hungarian Federation (“AHF”) has for decades promoted human and minority rights, including the rights of Hungarians living in the countries neighboring Hungary.
We are proud to announce that consistent with and in furtherance of that continuing and long-standing tradition and mission, AHF is launching a new initiative -- quarterly, brief updates relating to the Hungarian minority in Transylvania. [read introductory issue]
 5/18/2016 - AHF and PAC address Bill Clinton's Hungary remarks: The Presidents of the American Hungarian Federation and the Polish American Congress issue a joint statement objecting to the collective characterization by former President Bill Clinton of the Hungarian and Polish people as tired of democracy and desirous of “authoritarian dictatorship.” [read more]
 5/6/2016 - AHF attends Friends of Hungary Conference, attends meeting with US Amb. Colleen Bell and submits letter: The Friends of Hungary Foundation held its third conference in Budapest on May 6 -8. Frank Koszorus, Jr., President of the American Hungarian Federation, attended the event along with Federation members and officers, Andras Ludanyi, Gyula Balogh, Zsuzsa Dreisziger, and Katalin Kadar Lynn. [read more]
5/1/2016 - AHF participates in drafting Central and East European Coalition Spring 2016 Policy Paper. The 2016 brief addresses Ukraine; NATO and Security in Central and Eastern Europe; the Visa Waiver Program and Immigration Reform; Energy Security; Democracy, Human and Minority Rights, the Rule of Law, and the Information War; US Assistance to and Promotion of Regional Democratic Governance; Trade and Economic Integration; Trade and Economic Integration; Energy; and Black Ribbon Day. [read more]
 3/6/2016 - AHF launches new Twitter account that reminds us of the beauty of Historic Hungary. Follow @regikepek to see historic photos from Historic Hungary across the former pre-Trianon Hungarian lands in the Carpathian basin from Transylvania to today's Ukraine, Slovakia, Poland, Serbia, Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia.
 Further Reflections on 19 March 1944 and its Aftermath: A Perfect Storm of Tragedy and Folly: Regarding the history of the Hungarian Holocaust, two fundamental issues should be considered: the unacceptability of “whitewashing” or “cleansing” the Holocaust as well as the unacceptability of ”blackening” history by denying, omitting or belittling rescue initiatives and anti-Nazi activities in Hungary even after Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the country. [read more]
 3/6/2016 -- Szekler Independence Day! AHF Leaders joined the Community to show Support for Autonomy of Rumania's ethnic-Hungarian community... Carrying the Szekely Flag and a sign that read "Autonomy for Szekelyland," the group marched around the White House in Washington, DC, and raised awareness of the situation facing the ethnic-Hungarian community in Rumania. Numerous demonstrations were held in Europe and in North America. [read more]
12/15/2015 - AHF responds to James Traub article,“Hungary’s 500-Year-Old Victim Complex,” that appeared in Foreign Policy: "Hungarians share a collective pathology known as the 'Trianon syndrome,' asserts the article. Ever since Trianon, according to the article, Hungarians allegedly have resented the fact that they no longer matter. But what is the real issue?" [read more]
 12/3/2015 - American Hungarian Federation has follow-up meeting with Ambassador Colleen Bell... During his stay in Budapest, Mr. Koszorus also met with United States Ambassador Colleen Bell. The purpose of the meeting wasto follow up on AHF’s November 4, 2015 letter to Ambassador Bell in which AHF suggested that U.S. interests – promotion of democracy and human rights, strategic and economic -- may not always be served by public criticisms which are perceived by the man-on-the-street in Hungary, whether a supporter of the government or not, to be demeaning and humiliating. [read more]
 12/2/2015 - American Hungarian Federation President attends 5th Hungarian Diaspora Council. The Council is devoted to safeguarding the Hungarian Diaspora physical cultural heritage (museums, Hungariand Houses, libraries, churches, archives). It also focuses on Hungarian language teaching in the various Hungarian Diaspora communities throughout the world. [read more]
 12/2/2015: AHF Leaders attend Son of Saul Premier in Washington, D.C. AHF members Irvin Varkonyi and Atilla Kocsis attended the Premier of Academy Award-winning Hungarian film, "Son of Saul," in Washington, DC. In attendance were the current Hungarian ambassador, H.E. Reka Szemerkenyi, along with former ambassador Andras Simonyi and other dignitaries from the community.
[read more]
 11/4/2015 - American Hungarian Federation Submits Open letter to Ambassador Bell in which AHF suggested that U.S. interests – promotion of democracy and human rights, strategic and economic - may not always be served by public criticisms which are perceived by the man-on-the-street in Hungary. [read more]
 10/22/2015 - AHF organizes Congressional Reception with the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation commemorating the
59th anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956
and
Honoring Members of Congress. [read more]
 8/29/2015 - AHF supported the Dedication of the Chapel of "Our Lady of Hungary" in DC honoring Hungarian-American history in the USA in the magnificent Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception... The Dedication of the Hungarian Chapel fulfils the long aspiration of many to have a Hungarian national shrine in the nation's capital. [read more]
 7/15/2015 - The American Hungarian Federation is especially proud to have sponsored a statue honoring Hungarian Holocaust Hero Col. Ferenc Koszorus. The unveiling of the bust, sculpted by the internationally recognized artist Imre Varga, took place in July 2015 in Budapest. An extraordinary man, a soldier and a hero, Col. Ferenc Koszorús had his statue unveiled on July 7, 2015 in the Castle Hill district at the Tóth Árpád promenade. [read more]
 6/12/2015 - The American Hungarian Federation was proud to participate in the wreath laying ceremony on June 12 at the Victims of Communism Memorial statue, the "Goddess of Democracy," a replica of statue erected by Chinese dissidents in Tiananmen Square in 1989. 23 embassies, and 26 ethnic and human rights organizations joined 10 Members of Congress and over 300 participants for the annual Victims of Communism Commemoration on Capitol Hill [read more]
 5/20/2016- SAVE THE DATE: The 11th Annual Hungarian Charity Ball in Washington DC is set for May 20, 2016 and raises funds for worthy causes... Over the past decade, the Ball has raised tens of thousands of dollars supporting programs both in the United States and throughout the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. [read more and BUY TICKETS ONLINE]
 5/21/2015 - AHF Book Review: "From Hungary with Love" by Dr. George Szele. “From Hungary with Love” is a recollection, based of real life events, of a teenage boy
living in Hungary during WWII, who witnessed first hand the horrors of the Nazi
occupation and cold ruthlessness of communism that the Soviets instilled in Hungary
after the war.
[read more]
 5/19/2015 - AHF Submits Statement to US Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on the "Future of US - Hungarian Relations." The focus of its statement is "(1) the extent to which good relations with Hungary serve the strategic interests of the United States; (2) and the steps the United States can take to maintain and improve its relations with Hungary, including arriving at balanced and informed judgments relating to Hungary." [read more]
 3/15/2015 - Book Signing in Budapest Honoring Holocaust Hero Col. Koszorus. On March 10, 2015, a book signing and reception introducing an excellent volume, "Armored Soldiers for Life: Ferenc Koszorus a Hero of the Holocaust" ("Páncélosokkal az életért: Koszorús Ferenc a Holokauszt hőse"), took place in Budapest. AHF was also a co-sponsor of the book. [read more]
 2/5/2015 - AHF Co-sponsors Concert dedicated to International Holocaust Memorial Day and to Victims of Terrorism in Paris: The concert, held at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC and organized by the Embassy Series, featured George Peachey, piano; Jerome Barry, baritone; and Jacques-Pierre Malan, cello; on January 27, the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi death camp where thousands of Hungarian Jews lost their lives. [read more]
 1/20/2015 - Politics.hu publishes Op-Ed by AHF President, Frank Koszorus, "What is the endgame for U.S.-Hungarian relations?"In a Tweet on January 12, 2015, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Andre Goodfriend quoted Stephen I, the first king of Hungary (975–1038), who urged his son Emeric to welcome foreigners.The Tweet...clearly made in response to the Hungarian Prime Minister's recent policy statement... that Hungary and Europe  should, with the exception of political asylum, curb economic immigration.
[read more]
 1/15/2015 - Federation leaders meet with new US Ambassador to Hungary Colleen Bell and Hungarian Desk Officer Ivan Weinstein. The meeting took place at the State Department and was intended to review American / Hungarian bilateral relations with Ambassador Bell as she prepares to take up her post in Budapest shortly.
[read more]
 12/17/14 - AHF Meets with Kathy Kavalec, Director, U.S. Department of State, Office of Russian Affairs: On December 17, AHF met with Kathy Kavalec, Director, U.S. Department of State, Office of Russian Affairs, to discuss Russia's policies and activities in Central Europe, including Hungary, and U.S. response thereto. "Our Federation believes that good bilateral relations between the United States and Hungary and a strong and united NATO are in the interest of both countries and necessary to meet the formidable challenges posed by Russia in the region," said the Federation's president Frank Koszorus, Jr. "Winning instead of alienating public opinion is critical to advance these goals," he added.
 12/08/14 - AHF submits letter to Sen. John McCain over his "neo-fascist, dictator" comments: "We agree that Hungary is an important country given the recent, alarming and unacceptable developments in Ukraine and otherwise. We fear that your critical characterization of Hungary last week was unjustified and unbalanced and your labeling its prime minister a neo-fascist dictator was just plain wrong. These gratuitous statements further confused, alienated and angered the Hungarian people. Unless appropriately and timely addressed, this, in turn, will undermine support for the security matters noted above to the detriment of American strategic goals." [read more]
 12/2/2014 - AHF sponsors Forum on on US - Hungarian Relations hosted by sister foundation in Hungary the Amerikaiak a Magyarokért Alapítvány (AMKA or Americans for Hungarians Foundation): Panel participants included André Goodfriend, the Charge d' Affaires of the US embassy; Frank Koszorus Jr. the President of American Hungarian Federation, Dr. Lomnici Zoltán the spokesperson of the Civil Összefogás Fórum (CÖF); Hejj Tibor, the President of P-M-C Consulting who has sponsored many charity projects; and Gyula (Jules) Balogh, President of the Amerikaiak a Magyarokért Alapítvány. [read more]
 11/15/2014 - AHF, member organizations, and representatives of the Hungarian embassy in Washington DC placed flowers at the grave of Holocaust Hero, colonel Ferenc Koszorús, in Columbia Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Koszorús, as the commander of Hungary’s first armoured division, thwarted a planned government coup dubbed the gendarmerie coup, which aimed to carry out the deportation of the Jews of Budapest on July 5 and 6 of 1944. [read more]
 11/14/14 - AHF meets with National Security Council and State Department Officials - On Friday, November 14, 2014, Frank Koszorus, Jr., President of the American Hungarian Federation, and Paul Kamenar and Imre Nemeth, members of the Federation's International Relations Committee, met with Nathaniel Dean, Director for Central and North European Affairs at the National Security Council, Thomas O. Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, and Ivan Weinstein, Desk Officer for Hungary at the Department of State. [read more]
 10/22/14 - AHF submits letter to US Asst. Secretary of State Victoria Nuland: "The appearance of selective enforcement and the use of anti-corruption measuresas a “big gun” for political purposes that are unrelated to corruption, coupled with the other issues noted in this letter merely befuddle and alienate the Hungarian people and undermine U.S. goals...Corruption cannot, must not be tolerated. It needs to be eradicated wherever found. If not halted, it will undermine democracy and the free market system. We, therefore, support U.S. anti-corruption initiatives. However, in order to be effective, selective prosecution should be meticulously avoided." [read more]
 10/10/14 - AHF submits letter to President Obama: "...although we believe that vigilance is necessary to preclude backsliding when it comes to democracy, we are justifiably puzzled and deeply concerned that you lumped Hungary in with Egypt and some of the worst dictatorships of the world in assessing the state of civil society freedoms. We... respectfully call upon you to retract that part of your statement that unjustifiably places Hungary in the same category with Egypt and other such repressive countries. Doing so would help alleviate the concern, confusion and disbelief found in our community about the United States views of Hungary, a democratic ally. It would also serve to advance the goals of the United States in the region." [read more]
9/23/2014 - AHF participates in drafting Central and East European Coalition Fall 2014 Policy Paper. The 2014 brief addresses Ukraine; NATO and Security in Central and Eastern Europe; the Visa Waiver Program and Immigration Reform; Energy Security; Democracy, Human and Minority Rights, the Rule of Law, and the Information War; US Assistance to and Promotion of Regional Democratic Governance; Trade and Economic democratic governance and the rule of law; Trade and Economic Integration; and Black Ribbon Day. [read more]
 6/20/2014 - With the conflict in Ukraine and ethnic tensions once again on the rise, AHF republishes prophetic 1996 essay from the Fletcher Forum of World Affairs: "Group Rights Defuse Tensions." "Moreover, the strong U.S. interest in a stable and peaceful Europe is contingent upon the resolution of minority disputes and the elimination of tensions that arise from such disputes. When European minority issues were ignored or improperly addressed in this century, the United States was called upon to intervene in two world wars." [read more]
 6/17/2014 - AHF Book Review: "Transylvania Today: Diversity at Risk," edited by Csaba Zoltani. Written by noted experts, describes the issues faced by minorities in Transylvania in their effort to retain their identity in an adverse environment. Minorities, according to the official census, constitute nearly one-quarter of the population of Romania. Contributors include Amb. Geza Jeszenszky, Prof. Andrew Ludanyi, Tilhamer Czika, Viktor Segesvary, and Andreas Bereznay. [read more]
 6/14/2014 - AHF Republishes June 14, 1985 Wall Street Journal article: When Romania Turned Hungarian Bibles into Toilet Paper. 20,000 bibles donated in the 1970s by the World Reformed Alliance of the Transylvanian Magyar Reformed Church with the permission of Bucharest were diverted to a mill for recycling into toilet paper. [read more]
6/4/2014 - 94th Anniversary of the tragic Treaty of Trianon: AHF issues short statement highlighting how shortsighted "peacemakers'" mistakes led to millions of people being cut off from their motherland, caused untold suffering, assured the rise of Hitler, the expansion of Bolshevism, and set the stage for unneccesary conflict still with us today:
- President Wilson: “Bohemia will be part of Czechoslovakia.”
- Ambassador Bullitt: “But Mr. President, there are three million Germans in Bohemia.”
- President Wilson: “President Masaryk never told me that.”
Yes, it gets worse! [read more]
 5/30/2014 - AHF organizes meeting with the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress, discusses situation of the Hungarian minority in Romania including the revocation of the Knight's Order of the Star of Romania from Bishop Laszlo Tokes. [read more]
 5/28/2014 - Bishop Laszlo Tokes confers Báthory Award for American Hungarian Federation President
Frank Koszorus, Jr. In 2010, on the recommendation of the Bolyai Committee (BKB), the Hungarian National Council of Transylvania (EMNT) had bestowed the Bathory Award upon Mr. Koszorus who has championed the rights of national minorities for over thirty years.
[read more]
5/16/2014 - The 9th Annual Hungarian Charity Ball returned to Washington and raised funds for worthy causes... The American Hungarian Federation and the
Hungarian Scouts of Washington sponsor the annual Jótékonysági Est (Benefit Event) to support educational and charitable programs. Over the past decade, it has raised tens of thousands of dollars for worthy causes both in the United States and throughout the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. [read more]
 AHF Submits Letter to Secretary of State John Kerry expressing concern that Embassy's public (as opposed to private) statement about Hungary's history concerning the treacherous year of 1944 may have the unintended consequence of alienating Hungarians at a time when NATO needs to be unified and resolute in confronting the challenges posed by Ukraine and Russia. [read more]
 4/6/2014 - AHF issues statement regarding the 2014 Hungarian Elections: The Hungarian government invited international observers for the April 6 parliamentary elections that included an observer from the U.S. Helsinki Commission. As the Socialist Party had been behind in the polls, its leader not surprisingly was cool to the idea of impartial international observers as he feared they would legitimize the outcome of the election. Instead, the political opposition with the assistance of its foreign friends launched a smear campaign to delegitimize and politically bludgeon the government... [read more]
 3/29/2014 - AHF issues Statement in reaction to the March 10, 2014 letter of former presidents of the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) concerning recent ambassadorial nominees: Members of the Hungarian American community believe that U.S. ambassadors to Hungary, whether career Foreign Service Officers or political appointees, should be genuinely interested in the country, the Hungarian nation and its history, accomplishments, and hopes and fears. [read more]
 |
| The Hungarian Millecentenarium Monument in Verecke (Veretsky / Transcarpathia) has been repeatedly vandalized. |
3/27/2014 - Paprika Politik publishes article by AHF President entitled, "Strengthen Ukraine by Strengthening Minority Rights:" As Russia completes the annexation of Crimea, creating a fait accompli probably impossible to reverse, the situation in Ukraine proper remains fraught with uncertainty.
For the Hungarian minority in Ukraine the situation is especially precarious, particularly in light of a proposed ban on minority languages currently being pushed by nationalists in the Ukrainian parliament.
[read more]
 3/19/2014 - AHF article regarding the occupation of Hungary by Hitler on March 19, 1944 and its horrific consequences, entitled "Reflections on March 19, 1944 and Its Aftermath: A Perfect Storm of Tragedy and Folly." "We are concerned that a political agenda has replaced a debate based on historical facts relating to the Hungarian Holocaust and Nazi Germany's invasion and occupation of Hungary," said Frank Koszorus, Jr., the Federation's president. "We condemn not only whitewashing but the blackening of this historical record as well. Both forms of revisionism do a great disservice to the memory of the victims of evil and those who opposed it at a treacherous time in Hungary's history. These considerations prompted us to issue our statement," he added. [read more]
 3/20/2014 - Az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség üdvözölte a holokauszt-emlékév megrendezését:  Nyilatkozatban üdvözölte a magyarországi holokauszt-emlékév megrendezését Koszorús Ferenc, az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség (AMSZ) elnöke, rámutatva, hogy az eseménysorozat hozzájárul a korabeli Magyarország jobb megértéséhez. [tovább]
 3/15/2014 - AHF commemorates Hungarian National Day and the 1848 War of Independence. The 1848 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight sought to throw off the Austrian Yoke. It was quelled under the combined forces of Imperial Austria and Russia, but its impact is felt even today. This year's keynote address was delivered by Tamas Fellegi former Hungarian Minister of National Development and President of the Hungarian Initiatives Foundation. Other remarks given by Hungarian Ambassador Gyorgy Szapary. [read more]
3/10/2014 - Ukraine: AHF Releases another Statement on the Plight of the Hungarian Minority in Transcarpathia. "Minority rights is a dimension to the complexity of Ukraine and the region that perhaps is laden with less immediate strategic significance but one that calls out for immediate attention to dispel the fear of perpetual conflict and to promote a democratic Ukraine. What is too often overlooked relates to the treatment of national minorities generally and specifically to Ukraine’s close to 200,000 ethnic Hungarians who live in western Sub-Carpathia, an area which was part of Hungary." [read more]
 3/9/2014 - UDMR (RMDSZ) Joins Coalition Government in Rumania, AHF issues statement calling for quick resolution to pressing problems...Prime Minister Victor Ponta of Rumania’s Social Democratic Party (USD) announced that the Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania (UDMR) would be joining the governing coalition. In the agreement, USD promised to help solve the problem of minority cultural rights. The UMDR will hold the Culture and Environment ministries, a vice-president seat, and 14 state secretary positions. [read more]
 2/28/2014 - AHF Releases Statement in Connection with Recent Events in Ukraine calling attention to the plight of the Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia Ukraine. AHF urges the transitional government in Ukraine to fulfill the spirit of democracy as government for the people, by the people, and respect pluralism, the rule of law, and the rights of the Hungarian minority, including their democratically asserted right to autonomy. [read more]
Related News: Ukraine's Hungarian Minority Nervous as Crisis Rages [more]
 Congressmen Frank R.Wolf (R-VA) and James P. McGovern (D-MA), Co-Chairmen of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States Congress, echo AHF's call, and send a letter to Traian Basescu, President of Romania, in connection with Bishop Tokes and the threatened revocation of the Order of the Star of Romania. [read more]
 Amerikai képviselők tiltakoznak Tőkés László miatt: Frank Wolf és James McGovern amerikai kongresszusi képviselők, a Tom Lantos emberjogi bizottság társelnökei tiltakozó levelet küldtek Traian Basescu román elnöknek, amiért Tőkés László kitüntetését Románia visszavette. [tovább]
 01/17/2014 - AHF releases statement in connection with Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearings of US Ambassador to Hungary designate Colleen Bradley Bell. “[we] welcome the nomination of Ambassador-Designate Bell. We trust that she will take concrete steps to change the perception of a lack of evenhandedness and a double standard in the treatment of Hungary...” [read more] and watch the hearing.
Pártatlanságot kérnek az amerikai magyarok Colleen Bell nagykövettől. [tovább]
 1/15/2014 - In 2009, PBS Television presented a documentary
film on the planned open pit cyanide gold mine at Verespatak in Transylvania,
now called Rosia Montana. In 2014, the Unitarian Church of Transylvania produced a English-language video entitled "Life over Gold - a Unitarian stand for Roşia Montană. [Read more] about Rosia Montana and view both videos.
| 
