01:51Serbia: ‘Shame on Europe!’ Refugees protest border closure at Hungarian frontier
Several hundred refugees staged a protest and blocked highway traffic at the Horgos border crossing, a buffer-zone between the Serbian and Hungarian border, Tuesday, decrying Hungary's decision to block migrants attempting to pass into the EU via the south-eastern frontier.
Refugees gathered in front of police barricades that were set up in the middle of the highway on Monday to prevent refugees from crossing into Hungary. The protesters chanted "No food, no water, open this border" and "Shame Europe." Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy Aleksandar Vulin visited the refugees and talked to Hungarian police in a bid to soothe tensions. Negotiators reportedly agreed that refugees would be allowed to enter Hungary 200 metres (656ft) further up from the protest site, but must have their fingerprints taken before entering the EU country.
Hungarian authorities decided to officially close the country's border with Serbia on Tuesday. The government has since increased the military presence at the frontier, deploying soldiers and installing a razor-wire fence. Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday told Hungary's TV2 station that a state of emergency was "likely" to be introduced in the border area.
01:51Several hundred refugees staged a protest and blocked highway traffic at the Horgos border crossing, a buffer-zone between the Serbian and Hungarian border, Tuesday, decrying Hungary's decision to block migrants attempting to pass into the EU via the south-eastern frontier.
Refugees gathered in front of police barricades that were set up in the middle of the highway on Monday to prevent refugees from crossing into Hungary. The protesters chanted "No food, no water, open this border" and "Shame Europe." Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy Aleksandar Vulin visited the refugees and talked to Hungarian police in a bid to soothe tensions. Negotiators reportedly agreed that refugees would be allowed to enter Hungary 200 metres (656ft) further up from the protest site, but must have their fingerprints taken before entering the EU country.
Hungarian authorities decided to officially close the country's border with Serbia on Tuesday. The government has since increased the military presence at the frontier, deploying soldiers and installing a razor-wire fence. Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Monday told Hungary's TV2 station that a state of emergency was "likely" to be introduced in the border area.