http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/opinion/hungarys-duty-to-refugees.html 2016-09-28 16:17:49 Hungary’s Duty to Refugees Nearly 60 years ago, Europe sheltered Hungarian patriots fleeing Soviet repression. That humanitarian impulse must be honored today. === STRASBOURG, France — At the recent European Union summit meeting in Bratislava, Slovakia, the divergent approaches of member countries on how to handle the influx of migrants exposed deep divisions. Among the countries most hostile to the European Union proposals on migration was Hungary’s disengagement from human rights protections and the rule of law is Over the last year, sweeping legislative changes have made it virtually impossible for migrants to achieve refugee status in the country, weakened asylum safeguards and unjustifiably criminalized immigrants and asylum seekers. At the height of the refugee arrivals last year, Hungary built a razor-wire fence — soon to be The Hungarian government’s actions have provoked harsh critiques at home and abroad. Yet the administration of Prime Minister New legislation came into force in July that allows for the summary expulsion of migrants intercepted within five miles of the border. As a result, from the end of August to Sept. 12, more than As if those violations were not enough, the police are These worrying developments have come amid a campaign to demonize refugees that has been orchestrated by the government since 2015, when it promoted a “national consultation on immigration and terrorism” that portrayed migrants as a danger to Hungarian society. This propaganda effort has reached a new pitch of intensity in the run-up to an Oct. 2 referendum on any future Such smear campaigns against refugees are sadly not new to Europe: The U.K. Independence Party in Britain, the National Front in France and Italy’s Northern League have all exploited similar xenophobic messages. But in Hungary, it is the government itself that’s pushing such falsehoods. Hungary’s government defends its policy by States have the right to set their own immigration policies, but those policies cannot contravene the European Convention on Human Rights and the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, even in times of crisis. Hungary’s approach to the issue has already led to violations of human rights and unnecessary suffering. It has also undermined the values of solidarity and tolerance embodied in the Council of Europe and the European Union. Worse, Hungary’s contemptuous populist approach to migration is tempting neighboring countries to follow a similar path. If Hungary persists in its defiant policy that flouts human rights law, it will meet with further international criticism and possible legal sanctions. The European Commission has already begun “infringement To avoid deepening the rift, Hungary and European organizations must pursue dialogue and avoid further inflaming an already tense situation. This is why it is crucial that Hungary’s political leaders stop making xenophobic statements and start addressing public anxiety about migration and asylum with facts, evidence and a commitment to human rights. The protection of refugees has always been an integral part of the human rights project, both in Europe and worldwide. Nearly 60 years ago, that was what inspired an international solidarity movement that helped about That spirit still lies at the heart of European integration, and it is our best remedy for the anti-democratic and destructive forces of nationalism that have caused so much harm in the past. It is in Hungary’s best interest to preserve the rights of refugees.