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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/18/refugee-crisis-hungary-builds-border-fence-with-croatia-live-updates
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| Croatia moves refugees to Hungarian border - as it happened | Croatia moves refugees to Hungarian border - as it happened |
| (17 days later) | |
| 6.44pm BST | 6.44pm BST |
| 18:44 | 18:44 |
| 6.25pm BST | 6.25pm BST |
| 18:25 | 18:25 |
| Amnesty International has released images from earlier this month which it says shows how sealing the border crossing from Serbia to Hungary led to a bottleneck of trapped people seeking entry to the European Union. | Amnesty International has released images from earlier this month which it says shows how sealing the border crossing from Serbia to Hungary led to a bottleneck of trapped people seeking entry to the European Union. |
| Amnesty said the images serve as a warning to Croatia, Slovenia and other countries currently considering closing their borders to thousands of people seeking protection. | Amnesty said the images serve as a warning to Croatia, Slovenia and other countries currently considering closing their borders to thousands of people seeking protection. |
| Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s crisis response director, who has just returned from the border, said: | Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s crisis response director, who has just returned from the border, said: |
| The shocking scenes from the ground this week at the Horgoš-Röszke border crossing have shown the human toll of Hungary’s irresponsible actions. These images give a deeper sense of the speed and scale of Hungary’s operation to seal its borders, which culminated in a dire situation for refugees and asylum-seekers left in limbo. | The shocking scenes from the ground this week at the Horgoš-Röszke border crossing have shown the human toll of Hungary’s irresponsible actions. These images give a deeper sense of the speed and scale of Hungary’s operation to seal its borders, which culminated in a dire situation for refugees and asylum-seekers left in limbo. |
| 4.42pm BST | 4.42pm BST |
| 16:42 | 16:42 |
| Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte called for a binding agreement to share out migrants between EU countries to stop what he dubbed “asylum shopping”, AFP reports. | Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte called for a binding agreement to share out migrants between EU countries to stop what he dubbed “asylum shopping”, AFP reports. |
| EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has urged members states to take 160,000 refugees from border countries Greece, Hungary and Italy, grappling with Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II. | EU commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker has urged members states to take 160,000 refugees from border countries Greece, Hungary and Italy, grappling with Europe’s worst migration crisis since World War II. |
| Referring to migrants streaming to mainly wealthier western European countries with favourable asylum policies, Rutte said: | Referring to migrants streaming to mainly wealthier western European countries with favourable asylum policies, Rutte said: |
| We have to end the practice of ‘asylum shopping’ | We have to end the practice of ‘asylum shopping’ |
| Eastern Europe too must shoulder its responsibility. | Eastern Europe too must shoulder its responsibility. |
| 4.31pm BST | 4.31pm BST |
| 16:31 | 16:31 |
| The row between Croatia and Hungary over their respective handling of the migration crisis is deepening as Hungary’s foreign minister on Friday accused Croatia of pushing migrants to break the law by “illegally” breaching Hungarian borders. | The row between Croatia and Hungary over their respective handling of the migration crisis is deepening as Hungary’s foreign minister on Friday accused Croatia of pushing migrants to break the law by “illegally” breaching Hungarian borders. |
| Peter Szijjarto was speaking in Belgrade after talks with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic and Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic. He said: | Peter Szijjarto was speaking in Belgrade after talks with his Serbian counterpart Ivica Dacic and Serbian Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic. He said: |
| Rather than respecting the laws in place in the EU, they (Croatia), are encouraging the masses to break the law, because illegally crossing a border is breaking the law. | Rather than respecting the laws in place in the EU, they (Croatia), are encouraging the masses to break the law, because illegally crossing a border is breaking the law. |
| At the moment, the Croatian government is transporting migrants - in contravention of the laws in force in the European Union - towards the Hungarian border instead of giving them a place to stay and looking after their needs. | At the moment, the Croatian government is transporting migrants - in contravention of the laws in force in the European Union - towards the Hungarian border instead of giving them a place to stay and looking after their needs. |
| 4.28pm BST | 4.28pm BST |
| 16:28 | 16:28 |
| A joint European response to the migrant crisis as countries cannot cope individually, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency said. | A joint European response to the migrant crisis as countries cannot cope individually, a spokesman for the United Nations refugee agency said. |
| Babar Baloch, regional spokesman for central Europe for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said his organisation is capable of handling the humanitarian response to the migrant crisis, but “what’s missing is a collective EU action.” | Babar Baloch, regional spokesman for central Europe for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said his organisation is capable of handling the humanitarian response to the migrant crisis, but “what’s missing is a collective EU action.” |
| Tovarnik, #Croatia: More families from Syria arrive as dawn breaks. Strong pleas for help & compassion on #Europe pic.twitter.com/ziUqqcG5AP | Tovarnik, #Croatia: More families from Syria arrive as dawn breaks. Strong pleas for help & compassion on #Europe pic.twitter.com/ziUqqcG5AP |
| Baloch said “within three days we can put in place mechanism for refugee arrivals,” or “empty our warehouses in Dubai, Copenhagen and other places”. | Baloch said “within three days we can put in place mechanism for refugee arrivals,” or “empty our warehouses in Dubai, Copenhagen and other places”. |
| He added: “We know how to do the job, but the responsibility, the moral and legal responsibility here is on the countries in the European Union.” | He added: “We know how to do the job, but the responsibility, the moral and legal responsibility here is on the countries in the European Union.” |
| 3.08pm BST | 3.08pm BST |
| 15:08 | 15:08 |
| Here’s a live feed from the Bermend border crossing between Hungary and Croatia. Buses from the Hungarian side have been taking refugees and migrants who were bussed to the crossing by the Croatian authorities. | Here’s a live feed from the Bermend border crossing between Hungary and Croatia. Buses from the Hungarian side have been taking refugees and migrants who were bussed to the crossing by the Croatian authorities. |
| 2.45pm BST | 2.45pm BST |
| 14:45 | 14:45 |
| While some of the 14,000 refugees in Croatia have provocatively been taken to the Hungarian borders, others have been seen arriving in the capital Zagreb. | While some of the 14,000 refugees in Croatia have provocatively been taken to the Hungarian borders, others have been seen arriving in the capital Zagreb. |
| Croatian TV has been showing footage of 1,200 refugees arriving by train in the outskirts of Zagreb and getting on buses from there. They were being taken to the Zagreb Fair site, a Guardian contributor in Croatia report. | Croatian TV has been showing footage of 1,200 refugees arriving by train in the outskirts of Zagreb and getting on buses from there. They were being taken to the Zagreb Fair site, a Guardian contributor in Croatia report. |
| He added that the Croatian media is reporting that a fight at Beli Manastir station took place between Syrians and Afghans refugees. | He added that the Croatian media is reporting that a fight at Beli Manastir station took place between Syrians and Afghans refugees. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.49pm BST | at 2.49pm BST |
| 2.28pm BST | 2.28pm BST |
| 14:28 | 14:28 |
| Croatia has insisted it won’t become a “collection centre” for refugees and migrants in Europe. | Croatia has insisted it won’t become a “collection centre” for refugees and migrants in Europe. |
| The Croatia government has put out an English language version of forthright comments made by Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic at today’s press conference. | The Croatia government has put out an English language version of forthright comments made by Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic at today’s press conference. |
| It quotes him saying: “Croatia has shown that it has a heart, both its authorities and its people, but we must remind our neighbours and the EU that we also have a brain and that we know where our interests and our security lie.” | It quotes him saying: “Croatia has shown that it has a heart, both its authorities and its people, but we must remind our neighbours and the EU that we also have a brain and that we know where our interests and our security lie.” |
| It adds: | It adds: |
| Milanovic said that no one can physically close the borders unless they build wire fences, which Croatia will not do. “Those calling for closing the borders should explain what they mean by it. Closing border crossings does not mean closing the borders,” he said, adding that the daily influx of people into the country was incomparably higher than six months ago.” | Milanovic said that no one can physically close the borders unless they build wire fences, which Croatia will not do. “Those calling for closing the borders should explain what they mean by it. Closing border crossings does not mean closing the borders,” he said, adding that the daily influx of people into the country was incomparably higher than six months ago.” |
| Croatia has been preparing for this. Croatia is taking them in, but our capacity is small. We can’t do it any more. Over 13,000 people have entered Croatia in two days and a small number of them have left. We can’t control this and we can’t accept them any more because they exceed our capacity,” the PM said. | Croatia has been preparing for this. Croatia is taking them in, but our capacity is small. We can’t do it any more. Over 13,000 people have entered Croatia in two days and a small number of them have left. We can’t control this and we can’t accept them any more because they exceed our capacity,” the PM said. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.32pm BST | at 2.32pm BST |
| 2.18pm BST | 2.18pm BST |
| 14:18 | 14:18 |
| Croatia buses refugees to Hungarian border | Croatia buses refugees to Hungarian border |
| The Croatia authorities have bused thousands of refugees to a heavily defended border crossing to Hungary, according to Jonathan Miller from Channel 4 News. | The Croatia authorities have bused thousands of refugees to a heavily defended border crossing to Hungary, according to Jonathan Miller from Channel 4 News. |
| They've disembarked then and are preparing to march then across @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/cWkB78ZXvz | They've disembarked then and are preparing to march then across @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/cWkB78ZXvz |
| Hungarian special forces have lined up on their border. They are all armed and have riot shields @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/KL8W2BCPYS | Hungarian special forces have lined up on their border. They are all armed and have riot shields @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/KL8W2BCPYS |
| 1.47pm BST | 1.47pm BST |
| 13:47 | 13:47 |
| More people have filmed crossing Croatia’s border with Slovenia. | More people have filmed crossing Croatia’s border with Slovenia. |
| Some have been turned around but more coming all the time pic.twitter.com/v4VnzsNe7v | Some have been turned around but more coming all the time pic.twitter.com/v4VnzsNe7v |
| Croatia’s deputy prime minister, Vesna Pusic, said Slovenia is carrying out its threat of returning a “certain number of people” to Croatia. But she added that others are getting through. | Croatia’s deputy prime minister, Vesna Pusic, said Slovenia is carrying out its threat of returning a “certain number of people” to Croatia. But she added that others are getting through. |
| Pusic insisted that Croatia did not have the capacity to register asylum claims, but said it would make an exception for women and children. | Pusic insisted that Croatia did not have the capacity to register asylum claims, but said it would make an exception for women and children. |
| “There will be various discussions and difficulties,” she predicted. | “There will be various discussions and difficulties,” she predicted. |
| She also revealed that Croatia had had offers to take migrants, from New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States. | She also revealed that Croatia had had offers to take migrants, from New Zealand, Canada, Australia and the United States. |
| 1.27pm BST | 1.27pm BST |
| 13:27 | 13:27 |
| As Hungary threatens to build more razor wire fences, human rights campaigners have urged its leaders to remember history. | As Hungary threatens to build more razor wire fences, human rights campaigners have urged its leaders to remember history. |
| Lydia Gall Eastern Europe researcher for Human Rights Watch, says Hungary’s actions are a insult to history. She writes: | Lydia Gall Eastern Europe researcher for Human Rights Watch, says Hungary’s actions are a insult to history. She writes: |
| It’s also tragically hypocritical that Hungary, from where about 200,000 Hungarians were forced to flee in 1956 to obtain protection from Western countries, is currently closing its borders to those fleeing their countries for similar reasons. | It’s also tragically hypocritical that Hungary, from where about 200,000 Hungarians were forced to flee in 1956 to obtain protection from Western countries, is currently closing its borders to those fleeing their countries for similar reasons. |
| Hungary should honor its human rights obligations and indeed its own history and keep its borders open to allow people to present their claims for asylum in a fair and transparent procedure. | Hungary should honor its human rights obligations and indeed its own history and keep its borders open to allow people to present their claims for asylum in a fair and transparent procedure. |
| Here’s how the Manchester Guardian covered the first arrival of thousands of Hungarian refugees to Britain in November 1956. It says: “The Ministry of Labour said last night that plans were ready for seeing that the refugees coming to Britain were given suitable jobs as soon as they were rested and settled down. Many offers of jobs, some with accommodation, have come from all parts of Britain, and Ministry of London teams will go to the London hostels where the refugees will be received to help them decide on their future life.” | Here’s how the Manchester Guardian covered the first arrival of thousands of Hungarian refugees to Britain in November 1956. It says: “The Ministry of Labour said last night that plans were ready for seeing that the refugees coming to Britain were given suitable jobs as soon as they were rested and settled down. Many offers of jobs, some with accommodation, have come from all parts of Britain, and Ministry of London teams will go to the London hostels where the refugees will be received to help them decide on their future life.” |
| How things change. | How things change. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.05pm BST | at 2.05pm BST |
| 1.02pm BST | 1.02pm BST |
| 13:02 | 13:02 |
| Here’s a summary of the latest developments: | Here’s a summary of the latest developments: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.39pm BST | at 1.39pm BST |
| 12.46pm BST | 12.46pm BST |
| 12:46 | 12:46 |
| Croatia’s relations with neighbouring Hungary continue to fray over the crisis. | Croatia’s relations with neighbouring Hungary continue to fray over the crisis. |
| Hungary’s government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, says Croatia’s decision to redirect migrants entering the country toward Hungary and Slovenia is “totally unacceptable.” | Hungary’s government spokesman, Zoltan Kovacs, says Croatia’s decision to redirect migrants entering the country toward Hungary and Slovenia is “totally unacceptable.” |
| Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said earlier that Croatia could no longer register migrants in accordance with EU rules, and suggested they would be allowed to pass through Croatia to Slovenia and Hungary. | Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic said earlier that Croatia could no longer register migrants in accordance with EU rules, and suggested they would be allowed to pass through Croatia to Slovenia and Hungary. |
| Milanovic also criticised Hungary’s decision to build a new fence on its border with Croatia. “Barbed wire is not the answer,” he said. | Milanovic also criticised Hungary’s decision to build a new fence on its border with Croatia. “Barbed wire is not the answer,” he said. |
| Speaking to AP Kovacs said: “It is totally unacceptable for a European country to not respect European rules just because it was unprepared.” | Speaking to AP Kovacs said: “It is totally unacceptable for a European country to not respect European rules just because it was unprepared.” |
| 12.34pm BST | 12.34pm BST |
| 12:34 | 12:34 |
| Practicing what the Pope preaches, the Vatican has housed a family of Syrian refugees. | Practicing what the Pope preaches, the Vatican has housed a family of Syrian refugees. |
| Earlier this month the Pope Francis called on every religious community across Europe to do their part to stem the refugee crisis and offer sanctuary to migrant families. | Earlier this month the Pope Francis called on every religious community across Europe to do their part to stem the refugee crisis and offer sanctuary to migrant families. |
| “May every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe, take in one family,” he said. | “May every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every sanctuary of Europe, take in one family,” he said. |
| The Vatican City has announced is had taken in a family that had fled the war in Syria. | The Vatican City has announced is had taken in a family that had fled the war in Syria. |
| The family – a father, mother and their two children – came from Damascus and are Melkite Greek Catholics, a Christian church with close ties to the Roman Catholic Church. | The family – a father, mother and their two children – came from Damascus and are Melkite Greek Catholics, a Christian church with close ties to the Roman Catholic Church. |