Members of the European Parliament's civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee today reiterated calls for the European Commission to provide a comprehensive report on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary. This report was originally called for in June following concerns about the Hungarian government's response to the refugee crisis.
S&D spokesperson for civil liberties, justice and home affairs, Birgit Sippel said:
"The images from Hungary of refugees being packed into cargo trains, being kept in pens and thrown food, and denied basic rights are appalling. Even more worrying are the laws passed by the Orbán government designed to criminalise refugees, authorise draconian policing measures, and militarise the crisis. These new laws allow the police and army to violate the basic civil liberties of Hungarians and refugees alike. We called on the Commission in June to initiate an in depth investigation into the situation of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary, this is even more urgent now. Despite this we have so far had no response from the Commission. Frankly this is not good enough. We need the Commission to act immediately and issue whatever they have found."
"We have to find a way to improve the situation on the ground in Hungary. We do not need gestures or further condemnation - we need action that has a practical effect. This is why it is essential that we have the full weight of the Commission behind this, as they are the guardians of the EU treaties. We should therefore wait for their answer before taking unilateral action that would change nothing. On the basis of that answer, we will consider all the available options, not excluding the use of the provisions of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union."
MEPs involved
Related content
Find out more
