Dozens of Ukrainian refugees are forced to sleep on the streets of Hungary, following a legal change

2024-08-22 20:25:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Dozens of Ukrainian refugees are forced to sleep on the streets of Hungary,

Dozens of Ukrainian refugees, most of them children, spent the night sleeping on the streets in Hungary after the Hungarian government decided to stop paying for their accommodation.

The refugees were pushed out into the streets, due to a decree signed by nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, which took effect on August 21.

The decree limits state support to refugees who have gone to Hungary from parts of Ukraine, which Budapest says are unaffected by the complete freeze and war instigated by Russia.

"Since the Government's decree was published, we have constantly warned the involved parties and civil organizations about this problem, with the hope that there will be some solution. This should not happen in a state based on the rule of law," Magdolna Szecsi, expert at the Civil College Foundation in Hungary, told REL.

Szecsi said that many of those who were taken to the streets are from the Transcarpathian region, who do not want to return to Ukraine, where their living conditions are "inhumane". In Transcarpathia, in western Ukraine, there is a large ethnic Hungarian community.

Since they moved to Hungary, according to her, they began to integrate by sending their children to school and working. However, without state housing assistance, they cannot afford a place to live.

"I don't know what solution can be found, but it is certain that these people do not want to leave here," she added.

According to the Hungarian Government, 13 regions in Ukraine are currently recognized as directly affected by the war. While all parts of Ukraine have been targeted by Russia's attacks, the front line of the war runs mainly through the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Norbert Pal, the government commissioner responsible for those who have fled Ukraine, said the decree is "reasonable and proportionate" and that those who "wanted to take themselves to Hungary have been able to do so".

Last week, the UN refugee agency UNHCR expressed "concern" about the law, saying up to 3,000 Ukrainians could lose access to paid housing.

"UNHCR continuously calls on EU member states to interpret and implement the Temporary Protection Directive in a consistent and comprehensive manner. The directive also requires Hungary to provide those with asylum status with adequate housing and accommodation," it said. she in a statement.

"Consequently, UNHCR requests the Hungarian Government to review the current amendment. All changes related to collective accommodation should be gradual and adequate measures should be taken to prevent anyone from becoming homeless or forced to live in poverty as a result of changes," he added./ Rel