UN refugee chief urges Hungary to ensure unimpeded access for asylum-seekers

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, on Wednesday reiterated his call for the Hungarian authorities to ensure unimpeded access for people in need of protection in line with its legal and moral obligations.

He also reiterated his conviction that only a united European emergency response can address the present refugee and migration crisis.

Individual measures by individual countries will not solve the problem but will make an already chaotic situation worse, further the suffering of people and increase tension among states at a time when Europe needs more solidarity and trust, Guterres said in a statement issued by the UN refugee agency UNHCR on Wednesday.

"UNHCR is particularly concerned about a series of restrictive measures recently introduced by Hungary and the way they are being implemented, resulting in extremely limited access for refugees at the border," the statement said.

It added that some of the new legislations include deterrence measures are contrary to international law and European jurisprudence when applied to asylum-seekers and refugees.

"States should manage their borders in a way that is consistent with International and EU Law, including guaranteeing the right to seek asylum," Guterres added.

Citing media reports that only a few asylum-seekers have been allowed to enter Hungary through the official border crossing point, UNHCR said it was especially shocked and saddened to witness Syrian refugees, including families with children who have already suffered so much, being prevented from entering the EU with water cannons and tear gas.

"It is not a crime to cross a border to seek asylum," Guterres said. Endit