The necessity for the new regulation arose due to increasing migratory pressure since 2015.Continue reading
Hungary is firmly opposed to any proposal prohibiting the criminal prosecution of organizations supporting illegal migration on humanitarian grounds, stated the Minister of Justice in Brussels.
Addressing Hungarian journalists at a meeting of EU justice ministers, Minister Bence Tuzson emphasized that organizations facilitating illegal migration engage in human trafficking.
He recalled Hungary’s adoption of the “Stop Soros” legislative package in 2018, stipulating among other things, that those aiding border crossings face criminal sanctions under Hungarian law. Hungary has no intention of amending this, he stated firmly.
We will not accept the proposal to ban criminal liability because we do not want various organizations that support illegal migration to continue this activity with impunity,” said the Minister of Justice.
He noted that the European Union already has a rule allowing member states not to penalize organizations providing humanitarian aid. However, for the first time in the history of the EU, there would be a binding regulation obliging countries to decriminalize actions involving NGOs organizing and facilitating immigration and illegal migration.
Explaining the draft law further, Bence Tuzson pointed out that it proposes penalizing only those explicitly supporting illegal migration for financial gain. He clarified that those aiding migrants covertly but for financial compensation (such as an NGO funding rescue efforts) would therefore not be penalized. The proposed legislation also includes a provision ensuring that those requesting “reasonable financial compensation” for aiding migrants should not face penalties.
Hungary strongly rejects the proposal to introduce a measure banning penalties,” the Minister said.
Mr. Tuzson added that while some countries at the Council meeting expressed shock at the regulation, describing it as contradictory to their national law, Hungary maintains its previous stance, consistently proposing the rejection of the entire package of measures. According to the Minister, this draft is one of a series of proposals that the European Commission is submitting to Member States for adoption without consultation and impact assessment.
Photo: Facebook / Magyar Rendőrség
The long-standing cooperation with Serbia demonstrates that protecting external borders effectively stops illegal migration, stated the Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior Affairs during a farewell ceremony in Budapest for the 15th police contingent of 33 officers leaving for Serbia.
The efforts of the Hungarian police and border guards on the southern border, ongoing since 2015, show that legal, physical, and human means can be employed successfully.
According to the politician, Hungary’s commitment to border protection has led to a reversal of migration pressure on Serbia from the south. He cited Serbian officials, stating that before the deployment of the Hungarian police contingent, 60 percent of migration occurred across the Serbian-North Macedonian border, with Bulgaria accounting for 40 percent.
Today, due to increased protection from Austrian and Hungarian police, the Serbian-North Macedonian section handles 40 percent of illegal migrants because they are “intimidated” by heightened security.
Via MTI; Featured Image: police.hu