Reaction on Hungary’s xenophobic mailing

MEPs from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats in the European Parliament have today submitted a parliamentary question urging the European Commission and the Council to verify that the public consultation on migration launched by the Hungarian government, complies with the values, principles and legislation of the European Union.

The questionnaire, which consists of 12 questions will be sent to all Hungarian citizens over 18. A letter accompanying this mailing signed by the Prime Minister of Hungary, Victor Orban, which reads: “Economic migrants cross our borders illegally, and while they present themselves as asylum-seekers, in fact they are coming to enjoy our welfare systems and the employment opportunities our countries have to offer”.

The questionnaire, published by the Prime Minister’s office, contains questions such as:

• There are several opinions about the question of immigration. There are people who think the welfare immigrants endanger the jobs and livelihood of the Hungarian people! Do you agree with these opinions?
• Would you support the Hungarian government in introducing stricter immigration rules instead of Brussels’ permissive policy.

Cecilia Wikstrom (FP, Sweden), ALDE coordinator of the LIBE committee, added: ” It is obvious that Hungary’s disintegration takes place in policy after policy. But the authoritarianism, isolation and intolerance that Orbán shows have no place in Europe. To hear that it’s not in the interest of Hungary to grant asylum to migrants with different traditions than the Hungarian and that Europe does not need immigrants at all, just shows once more how he is distancing Hungary from Europe and transforming Hungary into a mini-Russia. His lack of solidarity and respect for the fundamental European values is appalling and the EU must react immediately in putting pressure on the regime before it is too late.”

Sophie In’ t Veld (D-66, The Netherland), vice-president of the ALDE Group, expressing great concern about the scope and legality of this public questionaire said: “ each time you think that Hungary can not sink any lower, they go one step further. The questions are leading and manipulative. Not even half a year ago, European Commissioner Timmermans said that engaging in dialogue would be the best way to deal with Hungary. I am curious to see if he still believes that after reading this horrible questionnaire. This shows that even within Europe, we need binding instruments to safeguard fundamental European rights and values.
“The European conservative group (EPP) keeps standing by Orban. To them I say: when will that stop? Which other fundamental rights and European values does Orban have to throw away? If he gets what he is steering towards, we must ask if that is still complying with the European treaties. ”

Louis Michel (MR, Belgium), member of the LIBE commitee, commented: ” Victor Orban again exceeds the limits of the acceptable. Hungarian Prime Minister has committed an act that is ethically untenable. It dehumanizes tragedies in the Mediterranean and the victims of terrorist attacks at the same time that he associates the idea of migrants being threat to the latest events in the Mediterranean. This stigma that systematically links the migrant with a criminal can only come from a far-right populism where xenophobia is at the very root of ideology.”

When drafting the questionnaire, Victor Orban is degradating a fundamental democratic right, the right of the public consultation. How can the Commission, guardian of the Treaties and the EPP support such behavior?