Hungarian government plans to evict Transcarpathian refugees from safe shelters

The Hungarian government plans to evict Transcarpathian refugees currently residing in temporary accommodations, according to a statement from the Hungarian Helsinki Committee released on Friday.

Government to deprive Transcarpathian refugees of safe havens

Photo: MTI/Balogh Zoltán

The organisation highlighted a government decree from late June, which stipulates that, starting from 21 August, only those fleeing combat zones in Ukraine will be eligible for asylum. Since active fighting is currently limited to the Zhytomyr region west of Kyiv,

refugees from Transcarpathia, which has remained relatively peaceful, would no longer qualify for protected status.

This change primarily affects those who have been living in communal shelters in Hungary, many of whom are from Transcarpathia (a region in Ukraine with a Hungarian population of more than 100,000), Telex writes.

Refugees can check the government’s website for a list of areas that determine eligibility for asylum. According to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, those currently in state-provided shelters who are no longer eligible have just six days to apply for an exception, citing “special circumstances,” to remain in their accommodations. These requests must be directed to Norbert Pál, the government commissioner.

Fears of separation of families

The organisation reports that many families have attempted to secure extensions, but only about 1/6th of the applicants have been successful. Apart from those granted extensions, only individuals over 65, people with disabilities, pregnant women, children, and one legal guardian per household may remain, potentially leading to the separation of families. The Hungarian Helsinki Committee plans to challenge the government’s rejections in court.

“We are representing these people because what is happening is clearly illegal. It is also unfair, inhumane, and morally indefensible,”

explained Zsolt Szekeres, the committee’s senior legal officer.

“The withdrawal of housing support is thoughtless, arbitrary, and could have devastating consequences for those affected. Many of them are children, Hungarian-speaking, who are now at risk of becoming homeless. This move also deprives them of the opportunity to attend school or kindergarten just ten days before the start of the academic year, as they will have no home to return to,” the Hungarian Helsinki Committee stated.

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