Hungary rejects UNHCR comment on new migrant legislation

Budapest, March 7 (MTI) – As Hungary’s government gives priority to the interests and security of Hungarian citizens, no illegal migrants will be let into the country without a due assessment of their application for asylum, foreign affairs spokesman Tamás Menczer told MTI on Tuesday.

The statement came in response to United Nations’ refugee agency (UNHCR) spokesperson Cecile Pouilly’s assertion that Hungarian legislation tramples on European Union laws and an international law barring authorities from mass detention of asylum seekers.

“The UN High Commissioner’s Office for Refugees joined liberal politicians and foreign-funded NGOs in failing to understand that law applies to everyone”, Menczer said, adding that UNHCR “is promoting anarchy and chaos” against security and the rule of law.

Earlier on Tuesday, Hungarian parliament accepted legislation tightening asylum regulations and barring asylum seekers of 14 years of age and above from leaving the transit zones on the Serbian border.

Photo: MTI

Source: MTI