1,000 Forcibly Displaced Artsakh Children to Attend Summer Camp in Hungary

A new initiative between Armenia and Hungary will provide around 1,000 children forcibly displaced from (Artsakh) Nagorno-Karabakh the opportunity to attend summer camps in Hungary. This partnership, announced during a meeting between Armenia's Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Narek Mkrtchyan, and Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations, Peter Szijarto, is designed to offer much-needed support and recreation for children affected by the genocide.

This initiative is expected to be ongoing, with the first group of 120 displaced children already having left for Hungary to attend the camp. The program is seen as a way to help these children recover from the trauma of displacement and provide them with a safe, enjoyable environment. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia praised Hungary for its assistance in organizing this initiative and ensuring its continuity in the years to come.

The meeting between Mkrtchyan and Szijarto also addressed the broader issues facing displaced Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, particularly the need for employment, social justice, and support systems to aid their transition. The Armenian government is focused on creating programs that ensure the long-term well-being of these individuals, and Hungary’s continued support is seen as vital to these efforts.

The two ministers expressed mutual interest in strengthening the ties between Armenia and Hungary. Mkrtchyan spoke on how the recent collaboration reflects a growing relationship between the two countries, expanding across multiple sectors.

Despite this positive development, the history between Armenia and Hungary is marked by a tragic event that still resonates with many Armenians. In 2004, an Armenian officer named Gurgen Margaryan was brutally murdered by an Azerbaijani officer, Ramil Safarov, during a NATO training program in Budapest. Safarov attacked Margaryan while he slept, delivering 16 axe blows that nearly severed his head. The crime shocked the international community due to its brutality and premeditation.

Safarov was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Hungarian court, but in 2012, Hungary controversially extradited him to Azerbaijan. Upon his return, Safarov was pardoned by Azerbaijan’s president, promoted in rank, and celebrated as a national hero. This incident deeply strained relations between Armenia and Hungary, raising concerns among Armenians about safety and justice.

Given the history of the Margaryan case, the question of safety for Armenians in Hungary remains sensitive. For many Armenians, the memory of Safarov’s crime and subsequent pardon has created distrust toward Hungary’s handling of Armenian-Azerbaijani tensions. The pardon and promotion of Safarov after such a brutal act fueled anger and concern in Armenia and beyond, leaving many to question whether Armenians can feel secure in Hungary.