Hungary’s foreign minister has said the government rejects the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ “outrageous” call for the withdrawal of the “Stop Soros” package of bills that would criminalize the organization of illegal migration.
Péter Szijjártó, minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said he had written an official letter to the Office of the UNHCR “reminding” it of its duty to represent UN values. The minister also said in the letter that he considered it “unacceptable” that the office had accused Hungary of “completely ignoring” facts.
Earlier this week, the UN organization criticized the “Stop Soros” bill, saying it would considerably restrict NGOs and private individuals in their endeavors to help refugees and asylum seekers.
“They [the UNHCR] made that statement without knowing any of the facts,” Minister Szijjártó said. The Hungarian government rejects the idea that migration is a fundamental human right, he added.
“A fundamental human right is the right of the Hungarian people to live safely in their homeland,” Minister Szijjártó said.
“Migration isn’t. Neither is crossing borders illegally; whereas countries have a duty to protect their borders,” he added.