Hungary BOLSTERS emergency border controls as 'masses' of illegal immigrants try to enter
HUNGARY has stepped up border security measures to include an increased military presence in a renewed bid to deter migrants from entering the country illegally.
Gyorgy Balkondi, senior domestic security advisor to the country’s prime minister, said the measures - which include the increased military presence and tighter border controls - would remain in place for the foreseeable future.
He added that “mass loads” of migrants were still trying to enter the country – with some days seeing 150 within 24 hours.
Mr Balkondi added that the majority of unlawful entries were taking place on the Serbia-Hungary border, but added the situation along the Ukrainian and Romanian borders were also of increased concern.
The declaration of a ‘crisis situation’ in Hungary came after Balkan routes into Europe were closed to migrants.
The emergency border controls were initially put in place in March 2016 - and were intended to be enforced for a year.
However, these have now been extended to at least September this year.
Reports suggest the country is also taking steps to modify four laws to “empower authorities to detain migrants whose legal status is uncertain”, including those seeking asylum.
According to Bence Tuzson, a Hungarian Cabinet Office undersecretary, the proposals would allow the state to detain asylum seekers in “transit zones” in the southern border until a decision was made on their applications.
Tuzson added that asylum seekers in Europe were deemed a “grave threat” to the continent’s security, and while their applications were under review, migrants would only be allowed to to leave the zones to travel towards Serbia.
Major migrant safe house busted in Hungary
At present, migrants detained within 5 miles of the Hungarian border can be transferred to transit zones.
Under the fresh proposals, the limit would be scrapped and authorities would be allowed to transfer any migrant from anywhere within Hungary.
If accepted by parliament, the new laws could come into effect as early as late spring.