The United States and Hungary signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support Christians and faith communities facing persecution. The MOU, specifically addressing those in the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa, affirms the U.S.’s and Hungary’s goal to defend and promote religious freedom globally.
“Christians are the most persecuted religious group worldwide, yet atrocities and attacks against them too often go unaddressed,” the State Department said in a press statement. “Such persecution presents a threat to American security and undermines the values upon which our nation was built. The United States continues to call on our allies to join in providing life-saving assistance to those endangered by religious persecution.”
The MOU was signed by Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Michael J. Rigas and Hungary’s State Secretary for the Aid of Persecuted Christians and Hungary Helps, Tristan Azbej. It affirms the countries’ shared values and bolsters the “golden era” of their relations.
The Hungary Helps program recently received an award for its “exemplary activities in helping persecuted Christians and religious minorities,” the program’s website states.
A recent report from Open Doors US revealed that millions more Christians have faced persecution this year than last year. According to the World Watch List 2026 report, 388 million Christians have faced great levels of persecution and discrimination, or 1 in 7 of all Christians worldwide. The number is up from 380 million Christians last year.
The report details the top 50 countries leading Christian persecution, the top being North Korea for the 24th time. Other leading countries include Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, and Nigeria. Persecution sources are listed as “Communist and post-Communist oppression,” “Islamic oppression,” “Dictatorial paranoia,” and others.
