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Hungarian MEP's pig heads along border idea leads to Twitter dispute Hungarian MEP's pig heads along border idea leads to Twitter dispute
(35 minutes later)
A Hungarian MEP has sparred with a human rights campaigner and caused an outcry on Twitter after he suggested pig heads along Hungary’s border fence would help deter migrants. A Hungarian MEP has caused an outcry by suggesting pigs’ heads along Hungary’s border fence would help deter migrants.
Under its conservative prime minister, Viktor Orbán, Hungary has taken one of the harshest stances over the recent mass influx of migrants and refugees to the EU, a crisis that has divided the member states.Under its conservative prime minister, Viktor Orbán, Hungary has taken one of the harshest stances over the recent mass influx of migrants and refugees to the EU, a crisis that has divided the member states.
Last year Hungary erected a fence topped with razor wire along its southern border to stop migrants and refugees, which is patrolled by thousands of extra troops. On 2 October, the country will hold a referendum on whether they agree with the EU’s policy of mandatory settlement of migrants and refugees without consent of parliament. Last year, Hungary erected a fence topped with razor wire along its southern border to stop migrants and refugees, which is patrolled by thousands of extra troops. On 2 October, the country will hold a referendum on whether Hungarians agree with the EU’s policy of mandatory settlement of migrants and refugees without the consent of parliament.
The MEP behind the comments was György Schöpflin, a former BBC employee and London-based professor, who has been an MEP for Orbán’s Fidesz party since 2004.The MEP behind the comments was György Schöpflin, a former BBC employee and London-based professor, who has been an MEP for Orbán’s Fidesz party since 2004.
On Friday, Andrew Stroehlein, Human Rights Watch’s Brussels-based European media director, re-tweeted a Washington Post article and photos showing root vegetables carved into shapes of human faces and put up along the fence.On Friday, Andrew Stroehlein, Human Rights Watch’s Brussels-based European media director, re-tweeted a Washington Post article and photos showing root vegetables carved into shapes of human faces and put up along the fence.
Last night, a member of European Parliament suggested putting pig heads on Hungary's border fence to scare refugees pic.twitter.com/QCKK11Xn1rLast night, a member of European Parliament suggested putting pig heads on Hungary's border fence to scare refugees pic.twitter.com/QCKK11Xn1r
These images had earlier appeared on a Facebook page that supports Hungary’s border troops, with the caption: “Instead of scarecrows, these are ‘scarepeople’ made from sugar beet. Seems to work, nobody cut through the fence here in four weeks.” These images had appeared earlier on a Facebook page that supports Hungary’s border troops, with the caption: “Instead of scarecrows, these are ‘scarepeople’ made from sugar beet. Seems to work, nobody cut through the fence here in four weeks.”
Stroehlein objected to the images, writing: “Refugees are fleeing war and torture, Hungary. Your root vegetable heads will not deter them.”Stroehlein objected to the images, writing: “Refugees are fleeing war and torture, Hungary. Your root vegetable heads will not deter them.”
On Saturday, Schöpflin replied to Stroehlein. On Saturday, Schöpflin replied to Stroehlein saying: “Might do so. Human images are haram,” referring to forbidden acts under Islam. “But agree, pig’s head would deter more effectively.”
“Might do so. Human images are haram,” he said, referring to forbidden acts under Islam. “But agree, pig’s head would deter more effectively.” Stroehlein shot back, saying: “An MEP spouting such xenophobic filth … You are an embarrassment to Hungary, to Europe and to humanity,” he said.
Stroehlein shot back.
“An MEP spouting such xenophobic filth … You are an embarrassment to Hungary, to Europe and to humanity,” he said.
.@schopflinMEP Your sick call for pig heads to try to scare desperate people fleeing wars? That's how an MEP should talk? @otmarianna.@schopflinMEP Your sick call for pig heads to try to scare desperate people fleeing wars? That's how an MEP should talk? @otmarianna
In a subsequent torrent of comments from followers of both men, Schöpflin was mostly derided for his remark. He was occasionally defended by people who opposed immigration but said he never made any proposal to put up pigs’ heads, telling Reuters his comment had been “a thought experiment”.In a subsequent torrent of comments from followers of both men, Schöpflin was mostly derided for his remark. He was occasionally defended by people who opposed immigration but said he never made any proposal to put up pigs’ heads, telling Reuters his comment had been “a thought experiment”.
He said he planned no apology, adding: “It’s anthropologically intriguing how sensitive the topos is.” He said he did not plan to apologise, adding: “It’s anthropologically intriguing how sensitive the topos is.”