Foreign minister: Government rejects ‘outrageous’ UNHCR call to withdraw ‘Stop Soros’ bill

The Hungarian government rejects the UN refugee agency’s “outrageous” call for the withdrawal of the “Stop Soros” package of bills that would criminalise the organisation of illegal migration, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the UNHCR criticised the “Stop Soros” bill, saying it would considerably restrict NGOs and private individuals in their endeavours to help refugees and asylum seekers.

“They [the UNHCR] made that statement without knowing any of the facts,” Szijjártó insisted. The Hungarian government rejects the idea that migration is a fundamental human right, he added.

“A fundamental human right is the right of the Hungarian people to live safely in their homeland,” Szijjártó said. “Migration isn’t. Neither is crossing borders illegally; whereas countries have a duty to protect their borders.”

Szijjártó said he had written an official letter to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees “reminding” it of its duty to represent UN values.

The minister also said in the letter that he considered it “unacceptable” that the office had accused Hungary of “completely ignoring” facts.

Featured image: MTI

Source: MTI