MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A recent amendment to the Hungary's Asylum Law threatens tens of thousands of refugees, a human rights group said on Thursday.
Earlier in July, the Hungarian government determined a list of “safe countries of origin” and “safe third countries.” According to the amendment, asylum applications from people that entered the country from “safe countries of origin," would be fast-tracked, and asylum-seekers who entered Hungary through “safe third countries” would be denied asylum and deported.
“This is a thinly veiled attempt by Hungary to dodge its obligations under national and international law to assist asylum-seekers who have a globally recognized right to claim international protection,” Europe and Central Asia Director at Amnesty International John Dalhuisen said.
Hungary is experiencing a massive migration crisis, with more than 60,000 undocumented migrants having entered Hungary since the start of 2015. The vast majority of people who applied for asylum in Hungary since January 2015, entered the country through Serbia, according to the non-governmental Hungarian Helsinki Committee.
On July 6, the Hungarian government approved the construction of a 13-foot fence along its 110-mile southern border with Serbia to stop the inflow of undocumented migrants.