With new regulations coming into force on Tuesday, crossing Hungary’s border illegally now qualifies as a crime, carrying a three-year prison sentence and expulsion from the country. People smugglers may face tougher prison terms than previously, with 10 to 20 years locked up.
The new legislation also allows the government to declare a state of crisis due to mass migration for up to six months, and already on the first day two southern Hungarian counties announced the new condition. The measure will stay in force as needed, government spokesman Zoltán Kovács said.
Migrants now have two transit zones, at Röszke and Tompa border stations, to file asylum applications. The procedure involves registration of personal and image data as well as fingerprints. People in the transit zones are provided food, and accommodation unless their application is evaluated within 24 hours.
Applications are to be evaluated within a maximum eight days and the decisions are appealable. Those rejected will be returned to Serbia, György Bakondi the prime minister’s chief domestic security advisor, said. Migrants are not in detention while in the transit zone and can leave the area at any time, he added.
Due to the slow process of registration of migrants, police decided to temporarily shut down one of the legal border crossings at Röszke between Serbia and Hungary, which led to a four-kilometre tailback on the Serbian side of another crossing, Tompa, by Wednesday morning. According to press reports, migrants on the Serbian side were not yet attempting to cross these borders.
And this may not change in the near future. According to Serbian news outlets, buses used to transport migrants en masse to the Hungarian border are now diverted to the Serbia-Croatian border town of Sid.
Croatian police on Wednesday said they were registering refugees entering from Serbia and would transport them to reception centres near the capital Zagreb, the news channel Aljazeera reported. A police spokesman in the eastern border county of Vukovarsko-Srijemska confirmed an unspecified number of refugees had crossed into Croatia, after a Reuters news agency cameraman saw at least 100 walking through fields across the border.
Croatia might have to get used to the influx of migrants as Lajos Kósa, the Fidesz chairman of Parliament’s defence and law-enforcement committee, already announced that Hungary will do all it can to protect the Schengen border unless it receives an official indication that it is unnecessary.
Kósa said people’s judgement of Hungary was changing from day to day. “Those who condemned us with frothing mouths a month ago now say that Hungary’s measures are correct and Hungary is the only country that is keeping to the Schengen and Dublin agreements that apply to it,” he told the M1 channel.
Though a few thousand migrants are still waiting at the Serbian-Hungarian border in hopes of making it to the EU, the Facebook page “Avoid Hungary – Migration News” offers a new map (pictured right), which suggests an alternative route to the Schengen Zone of the European Union via Bosnia and Croatia to the Slovenian border.
Hungary’s new laws cracking down on illegal migrants have “heralded a new era” in the crisis, Bence Tuzson, the spokesman for the ruling Fidesz party’s parliamentary group said. Tuzson said Hungary now has a “three-layer line of defence” on its border with Serbia, consisting of the border fence, police and amendments to the law. He said the new laws have restored order on the border.
Demján Group gives EUR 1 million for migrant children
Hungary’s Demján Group has offered 1 million euros to improve services for the children of migrant families. The Demján Foundation said the migrant crisis could prove to be “the greatest humanitarian challenge” of the 21st century, and called for “the most efficient and humane” European practices to ease the problem. The funds should be spent on food, clothing, transport, health services and information material for migrant children staying inside Hungary and along its borders, as well as to aid officials and volunteers working with them, the foundation said. Entrepreneur Sándor Demján called on “private individuals, businesspeople and institutions in and outside Hungary” to contribute to the fund in solidarity.
In response most opposition parties offered their opinion about the recent measures of the government.
“There is no way the cabinet can stop the wave of migrants crossing the country,” József Gál, a spokesman for the green LMP party, said, adding that closing down the borders and criminalising refugees will not resolve the situation; those expelled from the country will attempt to enter the country again, Gál insisted.
He said LMP wants refugee camps to be expanded and the police and the immigration authority reinforced. Further, information should be made available to both the migrants and local residents. Deploying the military along the border was “not only unnecessary but unconstitutional too” and “soldiers should leave their guns in their barracks”.
According to the Együtt party, developments in Hungary are against the Geneva Convention. Hungary’s rules that took effect on Tuesday are not only a violation of humanitarian principles – making the majority of society feel uncomfortable – but also go against “all international accords Hungary has signed over the past 50 years”, party leader Viktor Szigetvári said in Röszke.
Hungary is not required to accommodate all refugees but should support the European Union’s proposal to introduce mandatory quotas, Szigetvári said. “Migrants should be provided safe haven in Hungary, an opportunity to register, while a common European mechanism should be set up to ensure that not all of them are stuck in Hungary.”
Richárd Barabás of the Dialogue for Hungary (PM) party said that “the government does not even abide by its own laws”, and insisted he had proof that the authorities were deliberately misleading migrants. “Migrants are being forced to confess in writing that they are illegal entrants despite their crossing into Hungary at legitimate crossing points.”
According to the Hungarian Liberal Party (MLP), the government declared the state of crisis hastily because the current situation does not yet justify such a measure. István Szent-Iványi, the party’s foreign policy adviser, warned of growing tension along the border and the danger of violent clashes. He called on the government to improve ties with Austria, Germany and the EU leaders.
The radical Jobbik said Hungary should not allow a single migrant to enter its territory or settle here long term either under a quota system or through deportation. Dániel Kárpát, the deputy parliamentary leader of the party, noted that the government should make clear whether it is prepared to receive migrants returned to Hungary from western European nations, and it should clarify its position on quota-type solutions. Jobbik will initiate a binding referendum to thwart any such moves, he added.
When will this utter insanity end? At what point are the political leaders in Europe going to wake up to the warnings and wishes of their tax-paying citizens and admit that this invasion is completely out of hand? Every last one of these so-called migrants is breaking the law. The genuine refugees should have asked for asylum in the first safe country they entered. Economic migrants should have gone through the recognized channels available for legal emigration. Not one of these hordes of invaders has done this. Their arrogant, aggressive sense of entitlement is breath-taking – even at this point they are complaining about the conditions and the lack of adequate reception centres. What on earth do they expect when they arrive in poverty-stricken European countries, uninvited and unannounced. If this is their attitude now, what are they going to be like when they ‘set up shop’ in a host country? Many have no education, no marketable skills and no language skills. How are they going to support themselves and their large families in Europe without years of welfare handouts? Their cultures and traditions are totally incompatible with the Western way of life and it will be just a matter of time before they start demanding that their host country change its ways to accommodate their social and religious practices – like so many of the existing migrants already do in Sweden and the UK. When are European leaders going to say ‘enough is enough’, and demand that Muslim countries start taking in more of these invaders? It had better be soon as the alternatives are civil war, or the demographic and cultural suicide of Europe.
My sentiments exactly Roger.
Excellent assessment
These refugees are well orchestrated by people who want to take over Europe and make it muslim.As soon as these are given right to stay millions a will come as dependant relatives as a wives and children. Europe is under threat – existential threat. Germany has aggravated the situation by welcoming these marauding muslims, who are not genuine refugees but opportunitists. Germany cannot for our children and grand children’s sake welcome these foreigners and expect other European nations to share these migrants. Germany is just pampering to the business community and its economy. There is no need for the economy to keep growing and in the process destroy its own culture and hand the country over to the muslim foreigners, who eventualy destroy every thing Germany stands for and its future. Europeans because of the christian values we hold feel compelled to help them but this is a false belief. This is being taken advantage of. Muslims do not hold the same beliefs. This is where later conflicts will come. Muslims tried invading Europe by force before but this time they think they can take over Europe by simply sheer numbers just walking into Europe under the cloak of refugee status. Europeans believe in humanitarian value. But muslims only believe in muslim brotherhood. SAVE EUROPE and CHRISTAINITY NOW!! Stop our political leaders making bad decisions now.
Exactly. And to add, why aren’t any rich Muslim countries stepping up to accept some of these migrants? Saudi Arabia, Qatar?
They will. Soon they will be building them mosques in Europe.
Been in Hungary over 3 years and travelled entire EU. Magyars are strange people and majority have rasict attitude. This is my unbiased opinion.
What a ridiculous thing to say. I too have been to Hungary and do business in Hungary and your comment is misinformation.
I think the comment was rather strange. I travel to Hungary quite a lot,absolute rubbish.
A little harsh. My experience is that they tend to lose it a lot faster under pressure with dire consequences for the less fortunate.
Under good times they are extremely nice and welcoming!
In 1956 they were received with opened arms by everybody!
Your comment is absurd! The Hungarians are not strange and they are not rascist. Hungary is one of the last European countries which hasn’t lost its identity…an attribute well worth defending
@Keith,
Curious, what’s your denomination or background, please share……
All the pictures I see of illegal immigrants they are mostly male, in good health and young. Why aren’t they fighting against Assad to take their country back?
They want to go to countries where the citizens have fought for their land and rights and have built successful economies. They want to live off the hard work and sacrifice of millions of others without having lifted a finger to build or secure that life. Why are they leaving western European countries to migrate to Germany? Because Germany has a better welfare system. That tells you what these people are after……..a handout.
I had visited Europe 20 yrs back for its beauty, scerenity, polite people, open culture, cleanliness, old churches, architecture. It really looked like heaven on earth. Now I certainly doubt if it shall ever remain in future. All I can imagine Europe is of another Turkey. If not then a lot of mosques & will have to search for triditonal citizens, due to these mass invasions it shall become some what resembling big crowd dirty natorious bulling afro-middle east pakistan muslim neighborhoods of London UK. Sadly I’l have to find a new alternative for my holidays some where safe away from this mess.
All straight-thinking people in North America approve of the Hungarian government’s decision to control this illegal flood of migrants. Mr. Orban is absolutely right in saying that the supporters of an unlimited influx of these people believe in “suicidal liberalism”. Bravo, Hungary!
I`m really hoping the situation in Syria gets better.
well have to see what happens.
I wouldn’t mind so many Muslims coming to Germany, except that they do not adapt to Western Culture very well. There has been a somewhat reasonable balance, so far, with the Turkish population in Germany, but so many at once is already said to carry a price tag of 4 billion Euros. There is already a demand for more schools for the children here, what are we going to do once there are several million more Muslim children who are being raised in households that do not speak German.
It seems that the businessmen of Germany want to get rid of the social well-being of Germans by introducing a new lower working class who will take a lot of jobs and will not be paid benefits that German workers now get. It will lead to more slums and crime.
I think Hungary has the right idea. And I think Germany is going to override Frau Merkel’s desire to bring in hordes of unskilled Muslims and people from the East.
As someone from India, watching this so called “refugee” crisis, I have nothing but admiration for Hungary how it is dealing with this Islamic invasion. Liberals can demonize, vilify, slight, insult, ridicule Viktor Orban administration, but the Hungarian people should be damn right proud for having a government that puts its citizens first above everyone else and rally around this government for doing fine job in defending its honor and sovereignty.
As for European liberals especially the heads of EU super state (France and Germany) they will one day be accountable for creating thousand more Malmoes, Marseilles and Mollenbeeks across Europe. These liberals are fomenting social unrest with their mind numbing measures, and providing an impetus for re-emergence of more a strong and vicious Nazism in future. No culture, people, country or society can simply sit back and accept their way of life pulverized right in front of their own eyes by their own elected leaders. Are European liberals blind to the fact that Islam first and foremost is a political ideology and a religion next? Are their mental states so imbecile they can’t see what is happening to countries with Muslim minority. Do they not know about Mindanao (Philippines), Malay-Patani Region (Thailand), Rakhine (Burma), Xianjing (China), Kashmir (India) and how a muslim population constantly in insurgent mode against their own countries, with an aim to become independent Islamic nations?
Today, what is going on in parts of European countries such as UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and other countries which have lost control of some of the suburbs in their own cities to Islamic thugs and mobs is not visible to the liberals? European liberal leaders are not only sinking into the abyss but they are taking their people and culture with them. Let Europe come to senses, Viktor Orban is not a problem, he is a solution to hold on to whatever is left of European in European countries. Take it from me, as an Indian we probably rank among one of the topmost country which has been devastated by the Islamic evil and we haven’t quite recovered yet. Let Europe not become another India, which one day may be partitioned on the grounds of religion or become another Lebanon, where Christians and Muslims are at each others throats. Finally, remember what Barry Goldwater once famously said “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice”.
@ravi,
Thank you for your clear understanding and explanation.
As a Canadian and Hungarian Citizen you and your kind are not only welcome to both my countries, but to my homes. God bless you all!!
Hungary is right. Also, why haven’t we seen any rich arab countries step up to take in some of these refugees? Saudi Arabia, Qatar?
Hungary stay strong and do not sell out your national identity….These are not refugees…..Do not make the mistake to think otherwise………or you will be doomed…
Unfortunately the so called “refugees” are seeking for economic prosperity and a well being state, (payed by others) instead of peace, because they cross several of peacefull countries before reach Europe, otherwise the so dreamed Germany.
Comparing today’s refugees to the hungarian refugees of the past, is a offense in my point of view.
My family were refugee, fleeing from war and Soviet occupation from Hungary, they spend several months in refugees camps, facing starvation, diseases and fear of deportation.
They were rejected by several countries until could go to Brazil, they simply could not go to anywhere they wanted, crossing other countries, and demanding for passage and assistence.
And even 1956 hungarian refugees also. And any others european refugees too.
Once in Brazil they did not receive special treatment, was also dificult to find job and establish themselves, there was years to do it.
In Brazil they found peace and freedom, but not social benefits or great job oppotunities, until today.
Today we can see people urging to reach a “rich” country, not only a peacifull place to live, but this do not mean that many of them stay in other countries, as Hungary, because Western Europe asylum is not garanteed to all, as happens to many afghans refugees.
Hungary today is not a rich country comparing to ohters like Germany, but is relatively rich country with good access to health and education, with almost no violence, and xenofobie exists in every country in world.
Those wo live in Brazil, or Latin American countries have a diferent way to see a crisis such as these, here, people are used to deal with misery and social exclusion, and with my humble oppinion, i do not think that Europe is yet ready to deal with the refugees problem.
Hungary is the only country that is being reasonable and sensible. I recall that Viktor Orban warned Angela Merkel that welcoming the refugees with open hands would only encourage more to come in their millions and cause more to die in the high seas. Everything he said is now happening. The funny thing is that every country that criticized Hungary is now trying to do what Hungary’s been doing from the start.
Hi. I’m from Poland. I want to say that soon the last british, french or german people will seek asylum in Poland or Hungary as they will be runnnig away from Islam. I saw in these countries what Islam fanatics do. I have no problem with other nations or religions but I have problem with Islamists. Not all of them are so bad but too many of them are troublemakers. Enough to destabilize whole country as soon as their population grows up. They start forming then closed communities and non-go areas. People highly educated with good knowledge about the world may know how big thread for the Europe they are.
Hate to say it dude,
But your Leader just broke from the Visegrad 4 union by not voting against but accepting the migrant quotas. Looks like Poland will be looking for places to emigrate to soon, unless they vote to hold a referendum on the matter and change the decision….. All the best!!
By the way Viktor Orban is the guy who I would like to have in Poland as prime minister or president at the moment. Now he is the only one who tries to protect his country as I believe he is really patriotic now. Most of other governments and media try to pass fake informations to their nations.
Thank you Hungary for standing up for european culture and common sense.
And thank you for combating human trafficking which is fast becoming the worlds largest illegal economy, over drug trafficking.
How many of immigrants want to stay in Hungary? None. They all want to go to Germany. How does Hungarian fence then protect its cultural integrity? Imigrants just want to pass through Hungary, not stay in Hungary. Angela Merkel says that Germany is willing to accept immigrants. So hungarian fence is protecting Germany from something that Germany is willing to do. Why? Let them pass and go to Germany and that’s it. No water canons, no fences around Hungary, no police brutality. I think that Orban is just playing this anti-imigrant card to gain some votes and stay in power.
Marin,
Read the NEWS, Germany is already said it will NOT take migrants, only certifiable refugees from Syria, and now even that has changed.
It’s a shame that major protests haven’t broken out in EURO capitals, or is the Western Media just hiding it… Please post links if you find them EU …..
Greeting to Hungary! I’m Greek we support you 100% I support you and I wish every Hungarian the best for defending your country your values, your history!! Here in Greece we have stupid Marxist people that have brainwash everybody and they don’t have balls anymore to defend the honor of the country! Only Golden Dawn give us pride and to be proud and to protect our lands! Bravo Hungary please God bless you all!!!
We’ll be coming down to help protect your borders soon brothers!!
We, the Polish people, ask You, our Hungarian friends, for forgiveness of what polish government done. This decision was not decision of our Nation but only the government. The decision of the polish government, in itself, should be regarded as a betrayal of his own people.
Understood,
This should really show in the next elections, after which i’m sure we’ll collaborate and fix things as we have in the past. PEACE!!!
Copy of email I sent to the embassy
For the Attention of the Hungarian Ambassador to the UK.
Dear Sir/madam.
This is a comment I posted to many of our main stream media sites and it was well received by many UK citizens who agree – Basically I wrote it because I fully support your Governments actions with regards to protecting your country and its people. And I believe there are very many citizens across Europe who support your country but do not know how to express this other than through our main stream media’s comments boards – I hope you accept its contents in the spirit of which it was intended with my best wishes
(this is what I wrote)
This is for any Hungarian who may be reading this comment board – I salute your Prime Minister as he seems to want to protect both his people and their culture – in my personal opinion – that is what a Prime Minister should be elected to do – HE should look after the Interests of his country and his people. That is neither xenophobic or racist – end of the day YOU as the Hungarian taxpayer pay his wages. So Yes I salute him and hope he does not bow to outside pressure from the like of “Mad Merkel” who has caused all this – but is too arrogant to admit she got it wrong.
Unfortunately having an advisor and collaborator of the calibre of “Drunk Junker” – on this mad ever closer EU union project – is in my opinion only exasperating the situation for all. They have NOT got a Clue? and our now totally out of their depth – and short of a miracle – this could prove to be a disaster for all the European countries involved – it could so easily lead to War. BUT it would seem our EU masters (Merkel, Junker and bringing up the rear hanging onto their coat tails Hollande) are of the opinion they are in charge and everyone should do their bidding.
IT is long past the time when someone needs to tell them THEY do not run the EU it is a union of 28 equal Sovereign Nations (or at least that is what it is supposed to be) these three seem to be of the impression that it is the revival of the Franco Prussian Empire and they rule the roost.
Luckily your Prime Minister is not weak at the knees and stands fast for the ultimate benefit of his people – ours on the other hand wobbles and then collapses at the first hint of confrontation with his boss Merkel. I don’t hate or have contempt for my country the UK – but there are times when I am embarrassed by those that lead us – BUT as folk have said we get what we voted for – thankfully I cannot be accused of that (I did not vote for them) I voted for UKIP and will do so again at the earliest opportunity – I would think at this stage I would vote for the De* vil (S* a* t* a* n) himself IF he could get us out of the EU tomorrow IF not sooner.
I hope that answers any questions and does not offend you, your country or your Government.
It’s starting to look like we should pull out of the schengen so called and laughable border system, and create a new “Parallel” East EU or EEU where we continue even trade with EU however create a NEW border system like between Canada and the US and continue trade. The countries of the EEU would be Poland(depending on how elections go in October and the VISIGRAD status, Chech, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, (all the Balkan states, & Greece. We could create a manufacturing amazement with decent labour rates, tourism would flourish, the Threat of terrorists would be hunted down and eliminated, no regilous group would be allowed to influence the people of government. And we would have a proper sealed border all around, trading with the EU, America, Russia, Asia and the rest.
Just an idea….
Viktor Orban is one of the most greatest man as a prime minister. Hungarians can be pride on his steps towards to that crazy muslim invasion. Slovakians are with you, guys!
Europeans should not worry about human rights. This is engraved in their philosophy. In decades or a century, your descendants will be chanting human right slogans on boats on their way to the US and Muslims waiving them goodbye on European shores.
@George Sunkari,
Are you conscious when stating your beliefs? Do you really believe the US or North America will be a safe haven in the future after these cultish saber wielding nut cases get there in a few years? Do you think Europe in the current situation will have decendants as you state to travel to US? Further, do you believe that All of Europe will sit idly by like sheep? Really? Guess you don’t know too much about your future, or Europe’s past….