ECJ imposes fine on Hungary over failure to adhere to EU asylum regulations
Date
6/23/2024 8:03:58 AM
(MENAFN) The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has imposed a fine of EUR200 million on the Hungarian government for its failure to adhere to European Union asylum regulations. In a landmark ruling, the Luxembourg-based court also decreed that Hungary must pay an additional penalty of EUR1 million per day until it fully implements the European Union-mandated asylum procedures.
The legal dispute traces back to December 2020 when the ECJ initially found Hungary guilty of obstructing access to asylum procedures for individuals seeking international protection within its borders. The court determined that Hungary's practices made it exceedingly difficult for asylum seekers to file applications, thereby violating European Union laws. Moreover, the ECJ criticized Hungary for unlawfully confining asylum seekers in "transit zones" under conditions akin to detention and infringing upon their rights to appeal.
Despite Hungary's closure of these "transit zones," the ECJ's latest ruling contends that the government has since implemented even stricter regulations aimed at preventing future asylum applications. The court labeled Hungary's failure to comply with EU asylum obligations as an unprecedented and extremely severe breach of European Union law.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban vehemently criticized the ECJ's decision, describing it as "outrageous and unacceptable." In a social media post, Orban accused Brussels of prioritizing illegal migrants over European citizens, asserting that Hungary was being financially penalized for defending its borders.
The ECJ's verdict underscores ongoing tensions within the European Union regarding immigration policies, with Hungary and other Eastern European nations advocating for stricter controls while facing opposition from Western European counterparts and European Union institutions promoting greater adherence to humanitarian principles and legal obligations.
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