The Government is requesting the parliamentary group of Fidesz and KDNP to initiate the convening of an extraordinary session of Parliament due to the amendments of the Penal Code in connection with illegal migration, Minister János Lázár announced during the break of the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday.
In addition to physical protection, we also need legal protection, the Minister pointed out, stating: illegal border-crossing must be established in the Penal Code as a separate factual scenario, and the sentences which human trafficking carries must also be made more stringent. Illegal border-crossing and the vandalisation of the border fence may be subject to the imposition of a prison sentence for up to 3 or 4 years, he added.
The Minister said in answer to a question: they would like the House to be convened within the shortest possible time, if possible, as early as at the end of August.
In consideration of the migration reports of the secret services and the European Commission, the Government concluded that the number of migrants flooding onto the territory of the European Union via Serbia is increasing continuously, he said, adding: „therefore, in order to protect the country, we need technical and physical protection, personal and policing protection as well as legal protection”.
The Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office told the press that the Prime Minister requested the Minister of Interior at the Government’s proposal to set up border hunting companies within the organisation of the police.
Mr Lázár said that thousands of members of the police force had been directed to Csongrád and Bács-Kiskun Counties near the Hungarian-Serbian border section because, in addition to physical protection, the need may arise for police protection against illegal border-crossers „who are acting ever more aggressively and who are presenting increasingly firm demands”.
The Minister told the press that the Government had reviewed the reports of Minister of Interior Sándor Pintér and Minister of Defence Csaba Hende regarding the security border fence to be erected on the Hungarian-Serbian border on a section of 177 kilometres. He reiterated that the border fence is being constructed as a temporary solution in order to curb the unprecedented flood of illegal migrants that are heading towards Hungary, and to protect the country.
Mr Lázár also told the press that the two Ministers had informed the Government that the first section of the temporary border fence will be completed by 31 August, and the construction of the second security fence is „in full swing”. The Ministers further informed the Government that they are ready to have the 3.5-metre-tall security border fence built in the second line, he added.
Mr Lázár said at the press conference that human traffickers do not only bring migrants all the way to the Hungarian-Serbian border but also instruct them in the laws of the European Union and Hungary and prepare them for abusing the refugee status. He pointed out that the most important goal is to protect the country, as part of which the attention of human traffickers must be drawn to the fact that there are physical, personal and legal obstacles to illegal border-crossing. They should not bring the some 300 thousand people whom they intend to smuggle into the EU for fixed tariffs in this direction, he pointed out.
It is perfectly clear and a proven fact that „the country is being exposed to a human trafficking onslaught”, the Minister pointed out.
Regarding the campaign planned to be implemented in the transit countries affected by migration, Mr Lázár said that the National Office for Communication will organise the campaign in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office. He added: a detailed proposal will have to be presented to the Prime Minister within three days regarding its implementation. As the Minister said, each available model will be reviewed, but the German one will be considered primarily.
Mr Lázár also told the press that the Government had heard Mr Pintér’s report on the storm damage which has occurred throughout the country and in Budapest in the last few days.
The Prime Minister requested the Interior Minister to remain at the disposal of municipalities on an ongoing basis, in addition to the damage control services of the damage management organisation. As the Minister said, the Government is ready to provide assistance for all municipalities as well as for the individuals in trouble with their efforts to mitigate the storm damage.
The Minister further informed the press that the Government had begun the review of the report of Mrs Czunyiné, Judit Bertalan, State Secretary for Public Education of the Ministry of Human Resources, regarding the reform of the system of public education.
Mr Lázár additionally told the press that the Government is currently debating the proposals prepared by the Ministries of Agriculture and Justice regarding the food chain inspection fee and the proposal relating to the sector-specific levy imposed on the tobacco industry, and will decide on the proposal concerning the situation of debtors with automobile and any-purpose loans.
Mr Lázár said that the Government is also debating the proposal of the National Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Societies (Magosz). In this context, the Minister pointed out: the Government believes it is well worth considering the proposal of Magosz, the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture and quite a few other interest representations, based on which small holders should be reinforced, and landed areas which are not suitable for independent farming in terms of their size should be sold.
In answer to another question, the Minister told the press: he asked the state secretaries and deputy state secretaries working at the Prime Minister’s Office to terminate any business activities which they may pursue within the shortest possible time. Politics and business do not mix well, and are clearly not compatible, Mr Lázár stressed.
(Prime Minister's Office)
