The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure against Hungary for violating EU asylum laws.
The EU executive sent the formal notice to Hungary on October 30, warning Budapest that new asylum procedures in response to the coronavirus pandemic constitute an “incorrect application of EU asylum legislation.”
The new procedures require non-EU nationals to first apply for asylum at a Hungarian Embassy outside the European Union and be issued with a special entry permit.
“The Commission considers that this rule is an unlawful restriction to access to the asylum procedure,” the executive said, “as it precludes persons who are on Hungary's territory, including at the border, from applying for international protection there.”
Hungary has two months to reply to the Commission.
The Commission’s action is the latest infringement proceeding launched against Hungary on a range of issues including the rule of law and immigration.
Since Europe’s 2015 migration crisis, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over his anti-immigration policies.
In May, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled against Hungary in a case involving asylum seekers who had effectively been detained in a transit zone camp on the border with Serbia.
Hungary closed the camps after the court decision but continues to press for closed borders after the 27-nation bloc unveiled its latest asylum reform plan.
In July 2019, the Commission took Hungary to court for criminalizing activities in support of asylum applications.
Related
Editors' Picks
Top Trending
1
Panama Plans To Leave China's Belt And Road After Rubio's Canal Visit
2Trump's USAID Reform Causes Alarm As Musk Weighs In On Foreign Aid
3Kellogg Rejects Report That Trump's Ukraine Peace Plan Will Be Revealed Next Week
4U.S. Call For Elections In Ukraine: A Step Toward Peace Or A Gift To Putin?
5Ukraine Needs U.S. Weapons. Trump Wants Its Rare Earth Minerals In Return.
6Moscow Blast Kills Mercenary Leader Fighting Ukraine -- Who's Behind It?
7Ukraine Rejects U.S. Peace Push As Putin Refuses To Talk To Zelenskyy
8Russia Executing Ukrainian Soldiers On The Spot, Says UN
9Mariupol Residents Refuse to Move Into Abandoned Ukrainian Homes
10Ukraine Welcomes Deliveries Of Mirage, F-16 Fighter Jets To Strengthen Air Defenses
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.