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UNHCR calls on EU states to suspend transfers of asylum-seekers to Hungary

Xinhua, April 10, 2017 Adjust font size:

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Monday called on all European states to temporarily suspend all transfers of asylum-seekers to Hungary under the Dublin Regulation.

The Dublin regulation is an European Union (EU) instrument that determines which European state is responsible for examining an asylum seeker's application.

"The situation for asylum-seekers in Hungary, which was already of deep concern to UNHCR, has only gotten worse since the new law introducing mandatory detention for asylum-seekers came into effect," said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Given the worsening situation of asylum-seekers in Hungary, Grandi urged states to suspend any transfer of asylum-seekers to the country until the Hungarian authorities bring their practices and policies in line with European and international law.

The high commissioner said he was "encouraged" by the decision taken by the European Commission to work with the Hungarian authorities with a view to bringing the new legislation and Hungary's practice in line with EU law, but noted that "urgent measures are needed to improve access to asylum in Hungary."

UNHCR has repeatedly raised its concerns over the situation of refugees and asylum-seekers arriving to Hungary with its authorities and the EU, stressing that physical barriers and restrictive policies have denied access to territory and asylum. Endit