BUDAPEST, Hungary—Hungary’s border regime imposes violent consequences on refugees seeking safety. Syrian refugees escaping coalition airstrikes, toxic gases and civilian warfare who attempt to enter Hungary are confronted with strict border control ranging from violence to persecution.

Under international law, Hungarian authorities are permitted to take action when necessary to prevent chaos. However, the violence exerted appears to be random and excessive according to the Human Rights Watch and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Refugees, including men, women, and children, have been beaten with batons for no apparent reason.Furthermore, refugees penalized for “illegally” entering the country are placed in Hungarian border detention centres lacking basic necessities. Syrian refugee Rawan Ati describes his experience in the Roske detention centre as “inhumane, dirty, and prison like”.  Syrian refugee Remis Shekal describes Roszke as a place “only fit for animals.”The violence, inhumane conditions, and lack of medical care are characteristics refugees are escaping; yet, they continue to encounter it outside their homeland as a consequence of stricter border control. With almost 150,000 of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees entering Hungary this year alone, the number of people entering the country is only increasing. Consequently, Hungary continues to limit and restrict access to refugees.

To read more, visit:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/09/19/hungary-new-border-regime-threatens-asylum-seekers
https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/09/11/hungary-abysmal-conditions-border-detention
http://sn4hr.org/blog/2014/11/09/1851/
http://www.unhcr.org/55eedde56.html