Radnóti anti-racism awards presented in Budapest

Budapest, March 21 (MTI) – Hungary’s “Radnóti Award” for anti-racism was presented on Monday in Budapest to more than 15 individuals and groups in recognition for their achievements in activities against racism, anti-Semitism and social exclusion.

Recipients of the award established in 2000 by the Hungarian Federation of Resistance Fighters and Antifascists (MEASZ) included, among others, Piroska Galló, the chairwoman of teachers’ trade union PSZ, Socialist MEP István Újhelyi, Lawmaker Ágnes Vadai of the Democratic Coalition and volunteers who provided care for refugees.

MEASZ president Vilmos Hanti noted that the award is tied to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on March 21, and has been bestowed on more than 270 people or groups.

He said Hungary had been “pushed to the far right” over the last six years and the country’s democratic institutions had been “emptied”. Hanti said that in order to sustain its power, the government had “planted hate in the souls” of many people against refugees, the effects of which he said would be felt “for decades to come”.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters