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| Refugee crisis: Hungary rejects all asylum requests made at border – as it happened | Refugee crisis: Hungary rejects all asylum requests made at border – as it happened |
| (17 days later) | |
| 5.25pm BST | 5.25pm BST |
| 17:25 | 17:25 |
| The Associated Press has said it is protesting the brief detention of one of its journalists, cameraman Luca Muzi, by Hungarian police as he covered migrants crossing the border, saying he was forced to delete footage that included images of a police dog knocking down a refugee. | The Associated Press has said it is protesting the brief detention of one of its journalists, cameraman Luca Muzi, by Hungarian police as he covered migrants crossing the border, saying he was forced to delete footage that included images of a police dog knocking down a refugee. |
| The officers took Muzi to a dark area outside a migrant registration center and demanded to see Muzi’s footage, then told him to delete it, he said. The footage contained two days of work in Serbia and Hungary. Muzi said he was compelled to delete the tape while feeling menaced by muzzled police dogs nearby. | The officers took Muzi to a dark area outside a migrant registration center and demanded to see Muzi’s footage, then told him to delete it, he said. The footage contained two days of work in Serbia and Hungary. Muzi said he was compelled to delete the tape while feeling menaced by muzzled police dogs nearby. |
| Hungary has disputed the account, AP said. | Hungary has disputed the account, AP said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.30pm BST | at 5.30pm BST |
| 4.57pm BST | 4.57pm BST |
| 16:57 | 16:57 |
| 4.40pm BST | 4.40pm BST |
| 16:40 | 16:40 |
| The European Commission said it has received a notification from the Austrian authorities informing about their intention to temporarily reintroduce controls its borders with Hungary (which it announced yesterday), Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia. | The European Commission said it has received a notification from the Austrian authorities informing about their intention to temporarily reintroduce controls its borders with Hungary (which it announced yesterday), Italy, Slovakia and Slovenia. |
| The commission said Austria’s move, like that of Germany, was in keeping with the provisions of the Schengen agreement: | The commission said Austria’s move, like that of Germany, was in keeping with the provisions of the Schengen agreement: |
| The temporary reintroduction of border controls between Member States is an exceptional possibility explicitly foreseen in and regulated by the Schengen Borders Code, in case of a crisis situation. | The temporary reintroduction of border controls between Member States is an exceptional possibility explicitly foreseen in and regulated by the Schengen Borders Code, in case of a crisis situation. |
| The current situation in Austria, prima facie, appears to be a situation covered by the rules. | The current situation in Austria, prima facie, appears to be a situation covered by the rules. |
| 4.17pm BST | 4.17pm BST |
| 16:17 | 16:17 |
| Having already warned that it would not accept anyone turned back from Hungarian territory, Serbia has warned that it is unable to become the “centre of arrivals” for migrants and called on the European Union to sort out the migration crisis. | Having already warned that it would not accept anyone turned back from Hungarian territory, Serbia has warned that it is unable to become the “centre of arrivals” for migrants and called on the European Union to sort out the migration crisis. |
| Serbian foreign minister Ivica Dacic told reporters in Prague: | Serbian foreign minister Ivica Dacic told reporters in Prague: |
| This is a serious crisis for the EU which must treat it seriously and with a clear plan. | This is a serious crisis for the EU which must treat it seriously and with a clear plan. |
| The idea of returning all migrants to Serbia, with others flowing in from Greece and Macedonia, is unacceptable, because we would then become the centre of arrivals. | The idea of returning all migrants to Serbia, with others flowing in from Greece and Macedonia, is unacceptable, because we would then become the centre of arrivals. |
| We would like to be part of the solution to the problem, but this can’t be to our detriment. Serbia cannot handle this. | We would like to be part of the solution to the problem, but this can’t be to our detriment. Serbia cannot handle this. |
| Hungary has said that migrants whose asylum applications it rejects will be returned to Serbia. | Hungary has said that migrants whose asylum applications it rejects will be returned to Serbia. |
| 4.02pm BST | 4.02pm BST |
| 16:02 | 16:02 |
| Austria to introduce tougher border controls | Austria to introduce tougher border controls |
| Austria is to introduce tougher border controls at its border with Hungary from midnight (11pm BST), Reuters is reporting, citing an interior ministry spokesman. | Austria is to introduce tougher border controls at its border with Hungary from midnight (11pm BST), Reuters is reporting, citing an interior ministry spokesman. |
| Austria’s interior minister has informed the European Commission of the move, the spokesman said, adding that the new measures might be extended to other Austrian border regions depending on the numbers of migrants trying to enter. | Austria’s interior minister has informed the European Commission of the move, the spokesman said, adding that the new measures might be extended to other Austrian border regions depending on the numbers of migrants trying to enter. |
| He declined to give details as to what the new controls would involve. | He declined to give details as to what the new controls would involve. |
| The move comes two days after Germany put in place stricter controls, slowing the flow of migrants across its border. | The move comes two days after Germany put in place stricter controls, slowing the flow of migrants across its border. |
| 3.54pm BST | 3.54pm BST |
| 15:54 | 15:54 |
| Here are a couple of pictures from the Hungary/Serbia border: | Here are a couple of pictures from the Hungary/Serbia border: |
| 3.40pm BST | 3.40pm BST |
| 15:40 | 15:40 |
| Journalist Matthew Cassel is tweeting from the Hungary/Serbia border | Journalist Matthew Cassel is tweeting from the Hungary/Serbia border |
| Many of Hungary's official border crossings with Serbia also closed today. When asked why a Hungarian border guard said "Syria, Islam" | Many of Hungary's official border crossings with Serbia also closed today. When asked why a Hungarian border guard said "Syria, Islam" |
| Europe shame pic.twitter.com/Is4LwPudoE | Europe shame pic.twitter.com/Is4LwPudoE |
| A cpl Syrian guys asked me to film them asking for water from Hungarian police. I did and officer gave them water immediately... | A cpl Syrian guys asked me to film them asking for water from Hungarian police. I did and officer gave them water immediately... |
| ...I asked why they wanted me to film, they said "we've been asking him for water for an hour, as soon as you filmed him he gave it to us." | ...I asked why they wanted me to film, they said "we've been asking him for water for an hour, as soon as you filmed him he gave it to us." |
| 3.33pm BST | 3.33pm BST |
| 15:33 | 15:33 |
| Severin Carrell | Severin Carrell |
| The authorities in Scotland have confirmed they will house at least 2,000 refugees after the UK government came under heavy, cross-party pressure at Holyrood to speed up and increase its offer to take 20,000 Syrian refugees, writes Severin Carrell. | The authorities in Scotland have confirmed they will house at least 2,000 refugees after the UK government came under heavy, cross-party pressure at Holyrood to speed up and increase its offer to take 20,000 Syrian refugees, writes Severin Carrell. |
| Humza Yousaf, the Scottish minister for Europe and international development, confirmed that the Scottish government would help house 10% of the total number of refugees accepted by the UK after Labour urged him to increase an initial offer to take 1,000 people displaced by the conflict. | Humza Yousaf, the Scottish minister for Europe and international development, confirmed that the Scottish government would help house 10% of the total number of refugees accepted by the UK after Labour urged him to increase an initial offer to take 1,000 people displaced by the conflict. |
| Yousaf told MSPs that Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, had made it “very clear that 1,000 refugees coming to Scotland should be seen as a minimum and very much an initial, immediate figure – it is not a cap or a limit, nor is it spread out over five years like the announcement made by the prime minister last week.” | Yousaf told MSPs that Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, had made it “very clear that 1,000 refugees coming to Scotland should be seen as a minimum and very much an initial, immediate figure – it is not a cap or a limit, nor is it spread out over five years like the announcement made by the prime minister last week.” |
| The Scottish government’s refugee task force agreed on Tuesday to set up a new website, http://www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot/ with the Scottish Refugee Council, to coordinate responses, Yousaf said. | The Scottish government’s refugee task force agreed on Tuesday to set up a new website, http://www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot/ with the Scottish Refugee Council, to coordinate responses, Yousaf said. |
| Claire Baker, Scottish Labour’s democracy spokeswoman, echoed his complaint that the 20,000 person ceiling and five year time scale set by David Cameron, the prime minister, was unacceptably low and ungenerous. There were 3,000 unaccompanied children caught in the wave of refugees now in Europe. | Claire Baker, Scottish Labour’s democracy spokeswoman, echoed his complaint that the 20,000 person ceiling and five year time scale set by David Cameron, the prime minister, was unacceptably low and ungenerous. There were 3,000 unaccompanied children caught in the wave of refugees now in Europe. |
| “On the refugee crisis the UK government has been reacting rather than leading. It is therefore important that we, as a parliament, should not stop applying pressure on Downing Street,” Baker said. | “On the refugee crisis the UK government has been reacting rather than leading. It is therefore important that we, as a parliament, should not stop applying pressure on Downing Street,” Baker said. |
| 3.14pm BST | 3.14pm BST |
| 15:14 | 15:14 |
| Hungary says it has ruled on 16 asylum requests under the new border regime on its southern frontier with Serbia, rejecting all 16 within a matter of hours, Reuters reports. | Hungary says it has ruled on 16 asylum requests under the new border regime on its southern frontier with Serbia, rejecting all 16 within a matter of hours, Reuters reports. |
| Another 32 claims were filed and were being processed, Gyorgy Bakondi, security advisor to right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a news conference. | Another 32 claims were filed and were being processed, Gyorgy Bakondi, security advisor to right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a news conference. |
| He said 174 people had been caught crossing the border illegally and would face criminal prosecution. | He said 174 people had been caught crossing the border illegally and would face criminal prosecution. |
| 3.06pm BST | 3.06pm BST |
| 15:06 | 15:06 |
| Ian Traynor | Ian Traynor |
| Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said that Hungary’s decision effectively to seal its border to refugees meant there was an immediate need to help Serbia cope with the expected logjam, writes Ian Traynor. | Antonio Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said that Hungary’s decision effectively to seal its border to refugees meant there was an immediate need to help Serbia cope with the expected logjam, writes Ian Traynor. |
| With 4,000 passing through Serbia every day hoping to get into Hungary, Guterres said Belgrade would not be able to manage the situation. “There is a need for an emergency plan to support Serbia,” he told a press conference in Brussels. | With 4,000 passing through Serbia every day hoping to get into Hungary, Guterres said Belgrade would not be able to manage the situation. “There is a need for an emergency plan to support Serbia,” he told a press conference in Brussels. |
| Turning back refugees from the EU into the Balkans was “legally, morally and physically unacceptable,” he added. | Turning back refugees from the EU into the Balkans was “legally, morally and physically unacceptable,” he added. |
| Guterres also voiced deep disappointment with the meagre results of Monday’s emergency meeting of the EU interior ministers and its failure to agree on a system of quotas spreading 120,000 across the union. | Guterres also voiced deep disappointment with the meagre results of Monday’s emergency meeting of the EU interior ministers and its failure to agree on a system of quotas spreading 120,000 across the union. |
| It was clear in the fallout from the Monday meeting that the person happiest with the result was Viktor Orban, the hardline Hungarian prime minister. Orban feels vindicated that the EU has shifted from illusory resettlement aims to tougher ‘Fortress Europe’ policies aimed at securing borders, keeping migrants out, and pressuring third countries to stem the flow of refugees. | It was clear in the fallout from the Monday meeting that the person happiest with the result was Viktor Orban, the hardline Hungarian prime minister. Orban feels vindicated that the EU has shifted from illusory resettlement aims to tougher ‘Fortress Europe’ policies aimed at securing borders, keeping migrants out, and pressuring third countries to stem the flow of refugees. |
| The Hungarian government claims that most of those trying to enter are ‘economic migrants’ and not bona fide refugees, and that some are falsely claiming to be Syrians. The vast majority will not be admitted and those who are allowed to claim asylum will probably be deported back to Serbia, officials say. | The Hungarian government claims that most of those trying to enter are ‘economic migrants’ and not bona fide refugees, and that some are falsely claiming to be Syrians. The vast majority will not be admitted and those who are allowed to claim asylum will probably be deported back to Serbia, officials say. |
| Guterres said the biggest change in migration patterns this year was the “massive increase” in the numbers of Syrians trying to get to Europe, 83% of those entering Greece and proceeding up the Balkan route. The EU’s Frontex borders agency on Tuesday said that three out of four entering Greece and heading for Hungary last month were Syrians. | Guterres said the biggest change in migration patterns this year was the “massive increase” in the numbers of Syrians trying to get to Europe, 83% of those entering Greece and proceeding up the Balkan route. The EU’s Frontex borders agency on Tuesday said that three out of four entering Greece and heading for Hungary last month were Syrians. |
| High Commissioner Guterres: It is important to show determination - a plan b is needed for refugee crisis in Europe. pic.twitter.com/RjSPq9uSfg | High Commissioner Guterres: It is important to show determination - a plan b is needed for refugee crisis in Europe. pic.twitter.com/RjSPq9uSfg |
| 2.57pm BST | 2.57pm BST |
| 14:57 | 14:57 |
| Mona Mahmood | Mona Mahmood |
| Some Syrians have managed to make it Germany via Hungary by dodging the Hungarian authorities. Saleh Ismael, a 28-year-old from the worn torn Syrian city of Homs, told the Guardian’s Mona Mahmood that he tried to evade detection by hiding in the Hungarian woods. | Some Syrians have managed to make it Germany via Hungary by dodging the Hungarian authorities. Saleh Ismael, a 28-year-old from the worn torn Syrian city of Homs, told the Guardian’s Mona Mahmood that he tried to evade detection by hiding in the Hungarian woods. |
| Speaking from a refugee camp in the German city of Wurzburg he said: | Speaking from a refugee camp in the German city of Wurzburg he said: |
| I feel lost and disappointed after leaving Turkey and coming here. The German people are good and we are grateful for their hospitality, but we came here to get asylum, to know about our future. I hope other countries in the European Union share the burden with Germany and take some refugees. Otherwise it could better for us to back to Greece or Turkey. | I feel lost and disappointed after leaving Turkey and coming here. The German people are good and we are grateful for their hospitality, but we came here to get asylum, to know about our future. I hope other countries in the European Union share the burden with Germany and take some refugees. Otherwise it could better for us to back to Greece or Turkey. |
| Germany was my dream from the moment I jumped into the boat to get to Greece. It took a lot of effort to avoid being registered and fingerprinted in Hungary. I hid and walked for days in a forest in the rain. I was frightened of being forced to apply for asylum in Hungary only to be sent back to Greece. In the forest I only had the sound of a train to guide me. | Germany was my dream from the moment I jumped into the boat to get to Greece. It took a lot of effort to avoid being registered and fingerprinted in Hungary. I hid and walked for days in a forest in the rain. I was frightened of being forced to apply for asylum in Hungary only to be sent back to Greece. In the forest I only had the sound of a train to guide me. |
| Eventually, I was arrested by Hungarian police who put me in jail for two days. I was beaten and kicked for refusing to register as an asylum seeker. | Eventually, I was arrested by Hungarian police who put me in jail for two days. I was beaten and kicked for refusing to register as an asylum seeker. |
| When the policeman came to take me to have a fingerprint, he forced my to take off all my clothes. I could not object that and after having a fingerprint, the policeman gave me back only one piece of clothing. | When the policeman came to take me to have a fingerprint, he forced my to take off all my clothes. I could not object that and after having a fingerprint, the policeman gave me back only one piece of clothing. |
| After making it to Germany I’m worried I might be sent back to Hungary. Our only demand is to be recognised as human beings who have the right to live in peace and have a family like any other common people in this world. | After making it to Germany I’m worried I might be sent back to Hungary. Our only demand is to be recognised as human beings who have the right to live in peace and have a family like any other common people in this world. |
| 2.35pm BST | 2.35pm BST |
| 14:35 | 14:35 |
| The Czech Republic has blamed Germany for the migration crisis in the latest round of mudslinging. | The Czech Republic has blamed Germany for the migration crisis in the latest round of mudslinging. |
| In a Twitter post Czech interior minister Milan Chovanec said: “The current biggest problem of solving migration is an inconsistent policy of Germany. And showing muscles to the neighbors across the border won’t conceal it.” | In a Twitter post Czech interior minister Milan Chovanec said: “The current biggest problem of solving migration is an inconsistent policy of Germany. And showing muscles to the neighbors across the border won’t conceal it.” |
| Aktuálně největším problémem řešení migrace je nekonzistentní politika Německa. Ani ukazování svalů sousedům přes hranice to nezakryje! | Aktuálně největším problémem řešení migrace je nekonzistentní politika Německa. Ani ukazování svalů sousedům přes hranice to nezakryje! |
| In her press conference German leader Angela Merkel called for greater European co-operation and an end to the blame game. | In her press conference German leader Angela Merkel called for greater European co-operation and an end to the blame game. |
| “We cannot manage this challenge by looking at someone else and telling them, ‘you’ve made this mistake’,” she said. | “We cannot manage this challenge by looking at someone else and telling them, ‘you’ve made this mistake’,” she said. |
| The Czech Republic and some other EU countries in the former Eastern bloc have rejected calls from Germany and the EU’s executive Commission for mandatory quotas to share refugees out. | The Czech Republic and some other EU countries in the former Eastern bloc have rejected calls from Germany and the EU’s executive Commission for mandatory quotas to share refugees out. |
| Interior ministers of EU nations failed to agree to binding quotas at a meeting on Monday. The UN has expressed alarm at the EU’s inability to come up with a joint system. | Interior ministers of EU nations failed to agree to binding quotas at a meeting on Monday. The UN has expressed alarm at the EU’s inability to come up with a joint system. |
| Peter Sutherland special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Migration, tweeted his frustration. | Peter Sutherland special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Migration, tweeted his frustration. |
| What a shame! Because of a minority the EU has damaged itself and innocent migrants deserving asylum | What a shame! Because of a minority the EU has damaged itself and innocent migrants deserving asylum |
| Some Europeans have short memories particularly some who come from formerly occupied countries. | Some Europeans have short memories particularly some who come from formerly occupied countries. |
| 1.48pm BST | 1.48pm BST |
| 13:48 | 13:48 |
| Hungary confirms border fence with Romania | Hungary confirms border fence with Romania |
| Hungary’s government has confirmed plans to extend its border fence with Serbia to its much longer border with Romania, according to Reuters. | Hungary’s government has confirmed plans to extend its border fence with Serbia to its much longer border with Romania, according to Reuters. |
| “We have made the decision to start preparatory works for the construction of a fence starting from the Hungarian-Serbian-Romanian border at a reasonable length should migration pressure shift in the direction of Romania,” Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference. | “We have made the decision to start preparatory works for the construction of a fence starting from the Hungarian-Serbian-Romanian border at a reasonable length should migration pressure shift in the direction of Romania,” Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.54pm BST | at 1.54pm BST |
| 1.45pm BST | 1.45pm BST |
| 13:45 | 13:45 |
| The migration crisis is one of Europe’s biggest challenges in decades, Merkel said. “We can manage to solve it and we will but only on a common level” Merkel insisted according to translation of her press conference on CNN. | The migration crisis is one of Europe’s biggest challenges in decades, Merkel said. “We can manage to solve it and we will but only on a common level” Merkel insisted according to translation of her press conference on CNN. |
| Austria’s chancellor, Werner Faymann, criticised Hungary’s border crackdown. | Austria’s chancellor, Werner Faymann, criticised Hungary’s border crackdown. |
| Austria's chancellor Werner Faymann scathing about Hungary's latest shut-out of #refugees: "You can't simply put your head in the sand." | Austria's chancellor Werner Faymann scathing about Hungary's latest shut-out of #refugees: "You can't simply put your head in the sand." |
| 1.39pm BST | 1.39pm BST |
| 13:39 | 13:39 |
| We need [border] controls to assess who is entering the country, Merkel said. She pointed out that 70,000 migrants entered Germany from Austria via Hungary last month. | We need [border] controls to assess who is entering the country, Merkel said. She pointed out that 70,000 migrants entered Germany from Austria via Hungary last month. |
| Since then Hungary has imposed a new border crackdown. | Since then Hungary has imposed a new border crackdown. |
| 1.33pm BST | 1.33pm BST |
| 13:33 | 13:33 |
| Merkel calls for EU summit next week | Merkel calls for EU summit next week |
| Merkel’s press conference about the refugee crisis is underway. She has defended Germany decision to reintroduce border controls and together with her Austrian counterpart called for a European summit on the crisis. | Merkel’s press conference about the refugee crisis is underway. She has defended Germany decision to reintroduce border controls and together with her Austrian counterpart called for a European summit on the crisis. |
| Merkel defends her decision to open borders - "it was right" - and says border controls imposed to bring back "orderly regime" #refugees | Merkel defends her decision to open borders - "it was right" - and says border controls imposed to bring back "orderly regime" #refugees |
| Merkel & Faymann call for EU summit next week (following failure of ministers to agree anything yesterday) #refugees #migrants | Merkel & Faymann call for EU summit next week (following failure of ministers to agree anything yesterday) #refugees #migrants |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.49pm BST | at 1.49pm BST |
| 1.30pm BST | 1.30pm BST |
| 13:30 | 13:30 |
| What about Hungary’s border with Romania? asks the Guardian’s Emma Graham-Harrison. | What about Hungary’s border with Romania? asks the Guardian’s Emma Graham-Harrison. |
| Parts of Hungary-Romania border no further from Belgrade than Serbo-Hungary border, and no fence there. Will people just reroute? | Parts of Hungary-Romania border no further from Belgrade than Serbo-Hungary border, and no fence there. Will people just reroute? |
| Within minutes there are reports that Hungary is planning another fence on the Romanian border. | Within minutes there are reports that Hungary is planning another fence on the Romanian border. |
| BREAKING: govt of #Hungary decided to build another border fence, this time on the #Romania-n border, foreign minister Szijjártó says | BREAKING: govt of #Hungary decided to build another border fence, this time on the #Romania-n border, foreign minister Szijjártó says |