AHF releases statement in connection with Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearings of US Ambassador to Hungary designate Colleen Bradley Bell

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[Watch] the Senate confirmation hearing of Ambassador-designate Colleen Bradley Bell

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[Download] the AHF Statement: on Ambassador Designate Colleen Bradley Bell

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[Download] the Testimony of Ambassador Designate Colleen Bradley Bell

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 which, if not adequately addressed, may undermine both U.S. diplomatic and strategic interests in Hungary and the region,” said Federation president Frank Koszorus, Jr.

Mr. Koszorus and Paul Kamenar, members of AHF’s International Affairs Committee, met briefly with Ms. Bradley Bell following the hearings. They discussed the need for even handedeness in the treatment of Hungary and other issues including the need to protect human and minority rights of ethnic Hungarian and other communities in neighboring countries.

AHF’s Statement:

Hungary is a committed NATO member and strong U.S. ally. Its support for United States foreign policy goals has been rooted strongly in the popular imagination. This reservoir of popular support of the United States was a precious commodity that gave U.S. foreign policy a competitive advantage in the Central and Eastern European region during the Cold War and the years that have followed. Sadly, this popular support has been at risk of erosion in Hungary in recent years, mainly due to three developments:

First, there is a perception among a growing number of Hungarians of a lack of American evenhandedness that favors one side of the political spectrum over the current ruling center-right party.

Second, there is a constant barrage of questionable allegations often inspired by opposition parties and their allies in the West singling out Hungary for criticism by questioning Hungarians’ commitment to democracy and democratic norms.

Third, many Hungarians believe that a double standard has been at play relative to the protection of
minority rights in the region. For example, Hungary, without clear evidence, has been unfairly accused of being insensitive to minority rights. By sharp contrast, there are actual laws, policies and practices that discriminate specifically against Hungarian minorities, Roma and Jews living in countries neighboring Hungary that go unchallenged. One neighboring country passed a discriminatory language Law in 2009 and changed its dual citizenship laws to target the Hungarian minority specifically. Thousands of church and synagogue properties seized by the Communist regime in another neighboring country remain to be returned to their rightful owners. Yet Hungary, which has taken affirmative steps to protect minorities, is primarily singled out for criticism.

“The Federation welcomes 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 which, if not adequately addressed, may undermine both U.S. diplomatic and strategic interests in Hungary and the region,” said Federation president Frank Koszorus, Jr.

The Federation, founded in 1906, is an independent, non-partisan entity representing a broad crosssection of the Hungarian American community. It supports good American/Hungarian relations and democracy, human and minority rights, and the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe.

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