“The state has its obligations as laid down by the constitution, and accordingly it is Hungary’s duty to protect its borders and ensure the country’s security”, Minister of Human Capacities Zoltán Balog said on Friday during a political talk show on Hungarian independent television channel ATV.
“In recent weeks, non-governmental organisations and charities have done their utmost during an extremely serious situation that threatened to cause a humanitarian crisis in Hungary, and cooperation with law enforcement services was also excellent”, the Minister said.
“However, the situation was untenable from the point of view of security, and this is why the fence was necessary”, he explained. “The fence has gates, however”, he continued, “and those who enter the country via these receive fair treatment”.
When asked about recently introduced legislation on border crossing, Mr. Balog said the system had only been in operation for a few days (the amendment came into effect on September 15) and it was too early to draw any conclusions.
“In recent years, Hungary has often been accused of breaching certain international and European Union regulations and treaties. All these cases have been examined, and there were indeed one or two cases when it was determined that Hungarian regulation breached international law with relation to a few ‘relatively insignificant points’, all of which have been rectified by the National Assembly”, Mr. Balog pointed out. He said there are international institutions that can review Hungarian legislation if necessary, adding that Hungary has conducted rigorous consultations to ensure the introduction of proper and fair regulations, although “I admit some of the legislation we have introduced is quite strict.”
We must also recognise the tremendous challenge Hungary has faced when “overrun by two hundred thousand people within six months”, the Minister noted. “Breaking the law cannot be rewarded with acceptance; refuge may be afforded to those in genuine need, in accordance with international legislation”, he declared.
The Minister also pointed out that Hungary had given asylum to thousands of Eastern Christians in recent years. They do not pose a danger to Hungary, but their lives were in peril and so they were given the opportunity to remain in the country “following extensive national security checks”, he said.