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Migrant crisis: Tough Hungarian laws take effect Migrant crisis: Tough Hungarian laws take effect
(about 1 hour later)
Hungary has brought in tough new laws to stop the entry of illegal migrants.Hungary has brought in tough new laws to stop the entry of illegal migrants.
Police can now detain anyone who tries to breach a razor-wire fence built on the border with Serbia.Police can now detain anyone who tries to breach a razor-wire fence built on the border with Serbia.
Hungary has become a key point on the journey north for thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa. The EU is facing a huge influx of migrants, many fleeing conflict and poverty in countries including Syria and trying to reach Western Europe.
The EU has agreed to relocate 40,000 migrants from Greece and Italy to other EU states, starting on Tuesday. But it failed to agree on mandatory quotas for a further 120,000 asylum seekers. A boat carrying migrants from Turkey to Greece sank on Tuesday, leaving 22 people including four children dead, Turkish media reported.
Instead, at the meeting in Brussels, a majority of ministers agreed "in principle" and negotiations will now take place ahead of another meeting in October. The EU has agreed to relocate 40,000 migrants from Greece and Italy to other EU states, starting on Tuesday. But it has yet to agree on mandatory quotas for a further 120,000 asylum seekers.
The new Hungarian laws came into effect at midnight (22:00 GMT Monday).The new Hungarian laws came into effect at midnight (22:00 GMT Monday).
Police sealed a railway crossing point that had been used by tens of thousands of migrants, and many slept out in the open on the Serbian side of the border.Police sealed a railway crossing point that had been used by tens of thousands of migrants, and many slept out in the open on the Serbian side of the border.
Police buses will now take asylum applicants to registration centres, but if their applications are refused they will now be returned to Serbia rather than being given passage through Hungary, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from the border.Police buses will now take asylum applicants to registration centres, but if their applications are refused they will now be returned to Serbia rather than being given passage through Hungary, the BBC's Nick Thorpe reports from the border.
Hungarian authorities said more than 9,000 - a new record - crossed into the country before the border was closed on Monday.Hungarian authorities said more than 9,000 - a new record - crossed into the country before the border was closed on Monday.
From now on anyone who crosses the border illegally will face criminal charges, and 30 judges have been put on standby to try potential offenders. Anyone who crosses the border illegally will face criminal charges, and 30 judges have been put on standby to try potential offenders.
The laws also make it a criminal offence - punishable by prison or deportation - to damage the newly-built four-metre (13ft) fence along Hungary's 175km (110 mile) border with Serbia.The laws also make it a criminal offence - punishable by prison or deportation - to damage the newly-built four-metre (13ft) fence along Hungary's 175km (110 mile) border with Serbia.
Mounted police have been deployed along the border.
At the scene: BBC's Nick Thorpe in Roszke, HungaryAt the scene: BBC's Nick Thorpe in Roszke, Hungary
As darkness fell on Monday night, a locomotive and a single wagon unloaded coils of razor wire on the barrier across the railway, and those migrants who were unable to cross set out on the 12km walk to Kiralyhalom, the next border crossing point.As darkness fell on Monday night, a locomotive and a single wagon unloaded coils of razor wire on the barrier across the railway, and those migrants who were unable to cross set out on the 12km walk to Kiralyhalom, the next border crossing point.
The previous day, I drove the same section and counted 17 points at which the fence had been breached.The previous day, I drove the same section and counted 17 points at which the fence had been breached.
If the fence does prove too difficult to cross, many people may loop round to cross through Hungary's still almost unguarded borders with Romania (450km) or Croatia (350km).If the fence does prove too difficult to cross, many people may loop round to cross through Hungary's still almost unguarded borders with Romania (450km) or Croatia (350km).
Will Hungary's clampdown work?Will Hungary's clampdown work?
Afghan boy's lonely start in GermanyAfghan boy's lonely start in Germany
Caring for solo child refugeesCaring for solo child refugees
Mounted police have been deployed along the border.
"We will start a new era," government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said shortly after midnight. "We will stop the inflow of illegal migrants over our green borders.""We will start a new era," government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said shortly after midnight. "We will stop the inflow of illegal migrants over our green borders."
But he added: "That also means that the official and legal ways to come to Hungary and therefore to the European Union remain open. That's all we ask from all migrants - that they should comply with international and European law."But he added: "That also means that the official and legal ways to come to Hungary and therefore to the European Union remain open. That's all we ask from all migrants - that they should comply with international and European law."
'No consensus'
At the Brussels talks, Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, said it was hoped that the relocation proposal could be made law at a meeting on 8 October.At the Brussels talks, Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, said it was hoped that the relocation proposal could be made law at a meeting on 8 October.
The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary were reportedly among the nations opposed to mandatory quotas.The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary were reportedly among the nations opposed to mandatory quotas.
"There was no consensus, several countries disagreed," Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said after the talks."There was no consensus, several countries disagreed," Slovak Interior Minister Robert Kalinak said after the talks.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn said "not everyone is on board at the moment".
He warned the situation in Europe was "urgent and dramatic and time is of the essence".
Analysis: Chris Morris, BBC News, BrusselsAnalysis: Chris Morris, BBC News, Brussels
After a difficult meeting marked by heated debate, there was no unanimous agreement on the proposal to relocate another 120,000 refugees across the EU - with mandatory quotas for individual member states.After a difficult meeting marked by heated debate, there was no unanimous agreement on the proposal to relocate another 120,000 refugees across the EU - with mandatory quotas for individual member states.
The idea was to take the strain off countries like Greece and Italy, where most refugees first arrive. A clear majority of countries did agree to the proposal in principle, and that would be enough to push it through if necessary, against the wishes of countries like Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic that remain opposed. For now though, there will be further talks in the hope of maintaining unity, at a time when many of the core values of the European Union are being put under close scrutiny.The idea was to take the strain off countries like Greece and Italy, where most refugees first arrive. A clear majority of countries did agree to the proposal in principle, and that would be enough to push it through if necessary, against the wishes of countries like Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic that remain opposed. For now though, there will be further talks in the hope of maintaining unity, at a time when many of the core values of the European Union are being put under close scrutiny.
EU ministers also agreed to push ahead with robust measures to process new arrivals more quickly and efficiently, and send home those whose asylum applications are rejected. But critics will be disappointed that more decisive action was not taken, given the scale of the crisis confronting Europe.EU ministers also agreed to push ahead with robust measures to process new arrivals more quickly and efficiently, and send home those whose asylum applications are rejected. But critics will be disappointed that more decisive action was not taken, given the scale of the crisis confronting Europe.
Lyse Doucet: Where does this crisis end?Lyse Doucet: Where does this crisis end?
What next for Germany's asylum seekers?What next for Germany's asylum seekers?
Crisis explained in graphicsCrisis explained in graphics
Under complex EU rules, a unanimous vote is not required and decisions can be made with a qualified majority. A list of safe countries to which failed asylum seekers can be returned - a measure that would speed up deportations - was agreed on principle.
However, correspondents say that would be a show of disunity that the EU is trying to avoid.
Mr Asselborn said a list of safe countries, to which failed asylum seekers can be returned, had been agreed on principle.
European states have been struggling to cope with a record influx of migrants, who are mainly trying to reach Germany and Sweden.
On Monday, a number of European countries followed Germany's suit in introducing temporary border checks.On Monday, a number of European countries followed Germany's suit in introducing temporary border checks.
The moves are a challenge to the EU's Schengen agreement on free movement, although the rules do allow for temporary controls in emergencies.The moves are a challenge to the EU's Schengen agreement on free movement, although the rules do allow for temporary controls in emergencies.
Chancellor Werner Faymann said troops were also being deployed, mainly to provide humanitarian help within Austria, but would be sent to the border if necessary.
Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be avoiding Hungary? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you seeking refuge in Europe? Will you be avoiding Hungary? Please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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