Hungary’s border fences proving ineffective / Hungary to hold referendum on EU migrant relocation

Media sources reported in February 2016 that increasing numbers of migrants were breaching the razor wire fence built along Hungary's border to stop them crossing from the Serbian side.

According to data from the police, 550 people were caught getting through in January 2016 - up from 270 in December 2015. More than 1,200 were caught in the first 20 days of February 2016.

Hungary's prime minister Viktor Orbán announced on 24 February 2016 the country was going to hold a referendum on the European Union's mandatory quota system for relocating refugees. Mr Orbán qualified it as an 'abuse of power'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Visegrad countries call for ‘alternative plan’ to counter migration crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/visegrad-countries-call-for-alternative-plan-to-counter-migration-crisis/

ESO: Background information: Orbán warns of 'democracy crisis' in Europe over refugee quotas http://www.europeansources.info/record/orban-warns-of-democracy-crisis-in-europe-over-refugee-quotas/

ESO: Background information: Hungary to seal external Schengen border with Croatia / Migrants turn to Slovenia after Hungary closes border http://www.europeansources.info/record/hungary-to-seal-external-schengen-border-with-croatia-migrants-turn-to-slovenia-after-hungary-closes-border/

BBC News, 21.02.16: Europe migrant crisis: Razor wire fence failing in Hungary http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35624118

Politico, 24.02.16: Hungary to hold referendum on EU migrant relocation http://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-to-hold-referendum-on-eu-migrant-relocation-asylum-refugee-crisis-news/

Washington Post, 23.02.16: Hungary opposition upset about referendum being blocked https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/hungary-opposition-upset-about-referendum-being-blocked/2016/02/23/02c7025e-da4b-11e5-8210-f0bd8de915f6_story.html

The Guardian, 24.02.16: Hungary will call referendum on EU's refugee quotas http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/24/hungary-viktor-orban-will-call-referendum-on-eu-refugee-quotas

Euronews, 24.02.16: Hungary to hold referendum on EU migrant quotas http://www.euronews.com/2016/02/24/hungary-to-hold-referendum-on-eu-migrant-quotas/

Hungary Today, 24.02.16: Breaking News: Hungary To Hold Referendum On Mandatory Migrant Quotas http://hungarytoday.hu/news/breaking-hungary-will-hold-referendum-mandatory-migrant-quotas-45860

EurActiv, 25.02.16: Hungary to hold referendum on quotas, Austria remains defiant http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/hungary-to-hold-referendum-on-quotas-austria-remains-defiant/

EUObserver, 24.02.16: Hungary to hold referendum on EU migration plan https://euobserver.com/political/132439

Euro|Topics: Debates, February 2016: Hungarians to vote on EU refugee quotas http://www.eurotopics.net/en/154535/hungarians-to-vote-on-eu-refugee-quotas

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

ESO: Background Information: Meeting: Justice and Home Affairs Council, 25 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/meeting-justice-and-home-affairs-council-25-february-2016/

EurActiv, 26.02.16: Commission questions Hungarian referendum on migrant quotas http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/commission-questions-the-hungarian-referendum-on-migrant-quotas/

EurActiv, 06.04.16: Hungary claims it was forced to build border fence http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/hungary-claims-it-was-forced-to-build-border-fences/

The Guardian, 31.03.16: Migration crisis: Hungarian government says EU cities have 900 no-go zones http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/31/hungary-anti-migrant-site-900-no-go-areas-eu

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