1.

Background

In a country with slightly more that 22.5 million inhabitants made up of Kurds, Armenian,
Assyrians, Christians, Druze, Alawite, Shia and majority Arab Sunnis, Syria has gone through
decades of political instability steered by opposing interests of these different ethnic and
religious groups since its independence from France in 1946.1 Tensions escaladed due to
conflicts between the government that the Assad family had help power since 1971 and those
groups that want reform due to the failure of promise of economic and political reforms by the
government. In 2011, fifteen schoolchildren were arrested and reportedly tortured for putting
anti-government graffiti on a wall. Demonstrations were held, calling for the release of the
children, democracy, and greater freedom for people in the country. Instead, on 18 March 2011,
the government army opened fire on the protestors, which killed four people. Since the shooting
incident, estimation by reports of at least a thousand groups, including the extremist group
called Islamic State, have joined in the uprising against the government and between each
other. By September 2013, the United Nations (UN) confirmed that chemical weapons were
used, but was unable to identify who was responsible.2 By March 2015, more than 200,000
Syrians have lost their lives within the past four years. With more than 500,000 migrants
detected at EU external borders in August 2015, there have been 156,000 migrants already
crossed into the EU. A large number of migrants were detected at the Hungarian border with
Serbia.3 Trying to deal with the large influx of migrants, some countries decided to close their
borders, while others announced that they were willing to welcome refugees.
2.Research Problem
Joseph Stalin once said, The death of one man is tragedy; the death of millions is statistic.
Aylan Kurdi was the innocent boy who was washed ashore alongside his brother after failing to
1 BBC News. (25 June 2015). Syrian profile Overview. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-e ast-14703856
2 CBBC. (7 September 2015). Whats happening in Syria? Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/16979 186
3 Frontex. (14 September 2015). MORE THAN 500 000 MIGRANTS DETECTED AT EU
EXTERNAL BORDERS SO FAR THIS YEAR. Retrieved from
http://frontex.europa.eu/news/more-than-500-000-migrants-detected-at-eu-externalborders-so-far-this-year-fGa82v
1

cross borders to seek a better life. He was only three years old; not knowing anything but was a
victim of humanitys failure. His death had touched the life of others as his blood was in the
hands of humanity, leaders and citizens of the world. Since then there has been a debates
between European countries over the treatment of the Syrian refugees. Many had given solid
arguments on the negative impacts of letting large-scale refugees in, while others question
humanitarian values. Today we are seeing a pool of refugees trying to cross the Hungarian
border in a struggle to avoid persecution or death. Hungarian leaders were so overwhelmed by
the pool of refugees that they decided to close their borders for the sake of their citizens wellbeing. While Hungarian leaders were trying to help safeguard the national economy and safety,
a large number of Syrian refugees were being stopped at the Serbia-Hungary border, prevented
from continuing their journey further into the European Union (EU) countries.
3.

Research Questions

Based on the research problem that Hungary has closed its borders to the refugees, the
following questions are made to further understand this research study;

Should Hungary open its borders to the refugees?

Should Hungarys borders remain closed?

4.

Literature Review

4.1

Rohingya in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is an over populated country with estimated 158 inhabitants. Since its
independence in 1971, Bangladesh had been welcoming and protecting a pool of Muslim
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. The Rohingya refugees have been living in fear due to their
difference in religion in Myanmar. Even though Bangladesh did not sign the 1951 Refugee
Convention, yet it has welcomed almost 400,000 of the Rohingya refugees into the country
based on humanitarian grounds. However, the reality is that Bangladesh did not have the
necessary amenity to support these refugees economically and socially.4 It was deemed that the
integration of these refugees can create an enormous economic burden and social problems for
Bangladesh.5 It has been more than 20 years since they have been granted asylum and yet, the
Rohingya refugees have not contributed much economic and social benefit to Bangladesh.
4 Hassan Faruk Al Imran, Md. Nannu Mian. (2014). The Rohingya Refugees in
Bangladesh: A Vulnerable Group in Law and Policy. ISSN 2201-4624. Retrieved from
http://infinitypress.info/index.php/jsss/article/download/776/374
2

Hence in 2012, for the first time Bangladesh decided to close its borders and refused to take in
more Rohingyas.6
4.2Afghanistan in Pakistan
The flow of Afghans into Pakistan started in 1978 after a political change in Afghanistan. An
estimated 109,000 Afghans managed to obtain asylum in Pakistan the following year.7 Through
the years, Pakistan without any legislation to identify refugees had been welcoming Afghans
with an open heart and it supported these Afghan refugees with their own resources. Although
there were some strategic assets involving the refugees, Pakistan had experienced economic
and social decline. The stream of Afghan refugees had created higher demands on goods,
which cause inflation in Pakistan. 8 In 2000, Pakistan implemented a stricter border control as
they have already taken in many refugees. In addition, the US government insisted that the
border remain closed as a security measure to control the movement of al-Qaeda members.9
4.3Lifeboat ethics
Ecologist Garrett Hardin argues that a wealthy nation is like a lifeboat with limited capacity of
supporting a population. If the capacity of a lifeboat stands at 60 people and there are 50 more
people that need to get on the boat, allowing those additional 50 people to come abroad will
5 Dr Abdullah Al Faruque. Plight of Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh: Legal Aspects
of the Problem. Retrieved from http://www.culaw.ac.bd/files/plight_of_ruhingyas.pdf
6 Hassan Faruk Al Imran, Md. Nannu Mian. (2014). The Rohingya Refugees in
Bangladesh: A Vulnerable Group in Law and Policy. ISSN 2201-4624. Retrieved from
http://infinitypress.info/index.php/jsss/article/download/776/374
7 Grare, F., Maley, W. (June 30, 2011). The Afghan Refugees in Pakistan. Retrieved
from
http://www.refugeecooperation.org/publications/afghanistan/pdf/09_grare.pdf.pdf
8 Grare, F., Maley, W. (June 30, 2011). The Afghan Refugees in Pakistan. Retrieved
from
http://www.refugeecooperation.org/publications/afghanistan/pdf/09_grare.pdf.pdf
9 Selm, J. (2003). Perceptions of Afghan Refugees. Retrieved from
http://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/VanSelmTerrorism22%
5B1%5D.pdf
3

cause the boat to sink. Garrett Hardins controversial ethics suggests by living according to
Christian teachings to care for others by taking in as many on to the lifeboat will cause the boat
to sink, where the intended justice results in complete disaster.10 Garrett Hardin added that
overpopulation will result in the destruction of a countrys resources (i.e. environment, economy,
etc.). On the other hand, Garrett Hardin emphasized the need to export technology to poorer or
in-need countries to allow them to develop their own solutions on national problems.
4.4Take as many refugees as possible
Peter Singer is one of the most respected moral philosophers today on Practical Ethics,
emphasizing on utilitarianism.11 This approach demands that one must give the same amount of
benefit to others as they would give to themselves. 12 He suggests that a person is considered
immoral unless that person gives large amount of income to charity. In the case of current
refugees crisis, Singer condemns Hungarian authority for building fences, which not only violate
the Schengen Agreement, but is seen relinguishing itself from responsibility.13 According to
Singer, these countries should take up the responsibility and support other countries that have
already been assisting a large amount of refugees.
4.5It is not about fairness
Leslie Green is a philosophy of law professor who condemn the unhealthy idea of equal
distribution of refugees. He argues that fairness should be towards the refugees, not among

10 Hardin, G. (Spetember, 1974). Lifeboat Ethics: the Case Againts Helping the
Poor. Retrieved from
http://www.garretthardinsociety.org/articles/art_lifeboat_ethics_case_against_helping
_poor.html
11 Dent, N. (1995). Peter Singer. Retrieved from
http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/about/1995----10.htm
12 Wikepedia. Peter Singer. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Singer
13 Singer, P. (September 2015). Escaping the Refugees Crisis. Retrieved from
http://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/escaping-europe-refugee-crisis-bypeter-singer-2015-09
4

countries.14 The situation can be put in the perspective of a person about to drown. In this
scenario, Green would reject the idea that if there are two lifeguards who are qualified to save
them, only one of them is responsible for saving the drowning victim because that lifeguard has
a better track record of saving previous drowning victims. Green argues that it is not relevant
whether Hungary has a lower GDP than German and disagrees that the burden should be put
on Germany because it is wealthier. Green and other professors urge the European countries to
provide a safe passage to ease the refugee crisis and prevent a higher number of deaths.15
4.6The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
Article 13 of the UDHR stipulates that everyone has the right to freedom of movement, and
residence within each state, and everyone has the right to leave any country, even his own and
to return to his own country.16 In this Article, every human being is allowed to go anywhere, let
alone refugees who are running for their lives seeking safe haven. To obstruct this, not only is it
against the law, it is against humanitarianism, to close borders and not let those who are living
in fear to cross international borders. The case of human rights violation can be seen in Kenya,
whereby Somalian refugees were not allowed to enter Kenya. Kenya is also a member of the
1951 UN Convention. However, Kenya decided to close its borders.

17

After years of accepting

refugees, the situation turned violent and Kenya turned their back on the refugees.
Subsequently, many Somalian refugees were illegally detained without due process.18
5.Proposition/Hypothesis
14 Green, L. (5 September 2015). The Refugee Crisis is not about Fairness.
Retrieved from http://ljmgreen.com/2015/09/05/the-refugee-crisis-is-not-aboutfairness/
15 International Lawyers. (22 September 2015). Open Letter to the peoples of
Europe, the European Union, EU Member States and their representatives on the
Justice and Home Affairs Council. Retrieved from
http://ohrh.law.ox.ac.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/open-letter2.pdf
16 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. (1948). Article 13 Freedom to
Move. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/
17 Lindley, A. (2011). Between a Protracted And a Crisis Situation: Policy
Responses to Somali Refugees In Kenya. Retrieved from
http://www.humanitarianinnovation.com/uploads/7/3/4/7/7347321/lindley_a.pdf
5

Based on the evaluation of past and current literature, it can be argued that there might be
adverse consequences to opening borders. However, by closing borders it has shown the
degradation of humanity. There have been thousands, if not millions, of people suffering from
the war and they have been seeking asylum in another country. They have faced tough
obstacles because countries have focused on fairness among themselves, rather than on
humanitarian values. Hungary closed its borders and consequently spent large amount of
money to build higher fences at its borders. Everyone should ask themselves how many more
need to die for others to have a better life. The study of the literatures and the seriousness of
the issue have led to the proposition that Hungary should open its borders to the refugees.
6.

Objectives

This research is carried out to find out the reasons why Hungary should open its borders and to
justify the reasons to support the research proposition.
7.

Methodology

In order to further develop the objectives, this research first turns to the relevant governing
authority agreed by the several States Parties to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of
Refugees and 1967 Protocol, which will be briefly stated in this section. Then the Prima facie
approach will be mentioned as the Syrian crisis involves situations where individual refugee
status determination becomes impractical, impossible or unnecessary due to large-scale
movements of migrants. Important elements of the Schengen Agreement will also be included,
as later sections will make reference to it.
Outcomes from other secondary data, survey questions, and expert interview were highlighted
in the Findings section of this research. These included results of relevant research data
extrapolated from other secondary data through published statistics and news articles, results of
survey questions formulated and distributed to people all over the word for their personal
opinions, and expert advice from interviewing _______________, who is _____________, on
the treatment of refugees.
7.1

1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol

18 Hussein Moulid. (30 November 2010). Kenya Violates Refugees Laws by Forcing
Somali Refugees back to Somalia. Retrieved from
http://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/africa/item/8272-kenya-violatesrefugee-laws-by-forcing-somali-refugees-back-to-somalia
6

The 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol 19, supervised by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR), are UN multilateral treaties that define a refugee, rights of
individuals who are granted asylum status, the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum, and
grounds for disqualification. Chapter 1, Art. 1.A.(2) states in relevant part:
As a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951 and owing to wellfounded fear of being persecuted [emphasis added] for reasons of race,
religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion,
is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is
unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country; or who, not having a
nationality and being outside the country of his former habitual residence as a
result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.
Where the 1951 Convention restricted refugee status to those whose circumstances had come
about "as a result of events occurring before 1 January 1951", as well as giving States party to
the Convention the option of interpreting this as "events occurring in Europe" or "events
occurring in Europe or elsewhere", the 1967 Protocol removed both the time and geographic
restrictions. The 148 countries that have ratified the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol are
obliged to protect refugees that are on their territory, in accordance with its terms.
7.2 Prima Facie Approach
The Prima Facie approach was issued by the UNHCR as a guideline on specific situations
related to refugees. The UNHCR developed this approach for countries to handle situations
where individual status determination becomes impractical, impossible or unnecessary in largescale situations. These situations are those where:
Entire groups have been displaced under circumstances indicating that
members of the group could be considered individually as refugees. In such
situations the need to provide assistance is often extremely urgent and it may not
be possible for purely practical reasons to carry out an individual determination of
refugee status for each member of the group. Recourse has therefore been had
to so-called group determination of refugee status, whereby each member of
19 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (December 2010). Convention
and Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees. Retrieved from
http://www.unhcr.org/3b66c2aa10.html
7

the group is regarded prima facie (i.e. in the absence of evidence to the contrary)
as a refugee20
7.3Schengen Agreement
In 1985, France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands decided to create a
territory without internal borders called the Schengen area. After several more conventions
and fine-tuning, the Schengen area became part of the EU framework (Treaty of Amsterdam),
which included the territories of every Member State of the EU. The EU States, who did not opt
out of the Schengen area were obliged to:21

remove checks on persons at internal borders;

apply a common set of rules imposed on people crossing the external borders of the EU

Member States;
harmonize conditions of entry and visa rules for short stays;
enhance police cooperation (including rights of cross-border surveillance and hot

pursuit);
uphold stronger judicial cooperation through providing for a faster extradition system and

transfer of enforcement of criminal judgments;

collaborate on the Schengen Information System (SIS).

8. Overall Topic
In this section the situation of this crisis is explained through several perspectives. There are
two important agreements entered into by the Hungarian government that are at issue. First,
Hungary is a Members States to the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol. The online journal
published by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees explained that 1951 Refugee
Convention is a United Nations multilateral treaty that defines who is a refugee, and sets out the
rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant
asylum.22 This means that as Member States to this Treaty, they agree to a set of rules toward
20 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (24 June 2015). Guidelines on
International Protection No. 11. http://www.unhcr.org/558a62299.html
21 EUR-Lex. (3 August 2009). The Schengen area and cooperation. http://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:l33020
22 Weis, P. The Refugee Convention, 1951. The Travaux Preparatoires Analysed
With A Commentary. Retrieved from from http://www.unhcr.org/4ca34be29.pdf
8

the treatment of refugees within its borders. States at the southern border of Hungary (Croatia,
Serbia and Romania), where most migrants were passing through to reach the Hungarian
border, are Member States to this Treaty. These border states are obliged to determine the
migrants refugee status in the first instance, and it is arguable that Hungary has a duty to
determine refugee status if the border states had not done so already. Second, Hungary is part
of the European Unions passport free Schengen Area in accordance with the Schengen
Agreement. This agreement has permitted citizens of Member States and international travellers
to travel onwards to other countries within the zone without immigration checks. 23 The four
meters high fence along the length of Hungarys 175km border with Serbia means that refugees
and citizens of Schengen countries cant go through, resulting in a clear breach of the Schengen
Agreement and calling its integrity into question.
Prime Minister Viktor Orban is vocal in rejecting further acceptance of refugees. "The European
idea that somebody allows refugees into their own country and then distributes them to other
member states is mad and unfair," said Orban in an on air interview. 24 Orban issued
questionnaires out to the Hungarians under national constitution. He addressed the issue of
refugees and the opinions of a million Hungarians who supported his views. His next step was
putting up signs all over the nation aimed at the refugees with catchphrases like, "If you come to
Hungary, you cannot take away Hungarians' jobs." He tried to convinced voters that the
government is dealing with the crisis. Orban's most dramatic step was the construction of the
razor wire fence along the Serbian border with the full blessing of the parliament. After a 175km
fence has been built along the border with Serbia, the Hungarian parliament had facilitated new
laws to reinforce the power of the police and then established harsh new punishments for
unauthorized border crossing. Such harsh punishments for mere presence of a refugee within
its borders could be held as a breach of Article 31 of the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol.
However, damaging the barrier may be considered as a criminal offense, which is punishable up
to three years of imprisonment according to the new Hungarian law. Orbans last step was

23 Schengen: Controversial EU free movement deal explained. (2015, September

14). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-13194723
24 Hungary's PM Orban calls EU refugee quota plan 'mad'. (2015, May 8). Retrieved
from http://www.euractiv.com/sections/migrations/hungarys-pm-orban-calls-eurefugee-quota-plan-mad-314457
9

forming and leading an anti-immigration eastern faction within the EU. He met his allies from
Poland, Slovakia and Czech Republic whom also held a similar perspective on this crisis.25
The Hungarian people had mix feeling on this matter. It is heartwarming to see that thousands
Hungarians are trying to help the refugees. However, only food and water are allowed as other
types of assistance are strictly blocked by the government. The laws passed in stages earlier
this year, making well-intentioned volunteers to think twice about helping out and risking being
prosecuted, fined or jailed.26 Nonetheless, its undeniable that most of the Hungarians are
opposed to helping the refugees. The heartbreaking video of a Hungarian camerawoman
tripping a refugee father as he held his son has become the public scrutiny of the maliciousness
of Hungarians. From secondary data readings, most of the Hungarians used sustaining of their
local cultures as main reason for the opposition. They believe that these refugees can never be
integrated into their communities. Furthermore, people are afraid that their tax money are going
to be spent on taking care of these people, in terms of food and accommodation. People are
skeptical that those who claimed to be war refugees from Syria are in reality economic refugees
from Turkey, Egypt, Libya or Pakistan, trying to take advantage of the situation. Author William
Brangham wrote on PBS Newshour, the local news report feel like the extremists could be
coming.27
Hungary has been widely criticized by the world for its way of handling the flow of refugees into
Europe. The suppression in Hungary also brought diplomatic fallout. The UNHCR said that the
world waited far too long to finally acknowledge the seriousness of this refugee crisis that was
set off by the civil wars in Syria and elsewhere. 28 An incident on September 3, 2015, turned
tragic when refugees assumed that they were going to the border of Austria after boarding a
25 Puhl, J. (2015, September 15). Fortress Hungary: Orbn Profits from the
Refugees. Retrieved from http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/viktor-orbanwants-to-keep-muslim-immigrants-out-of-hungary-a-1052568.html
26 Risking Arrest, Thousands Of Hungarians Offer Help To Refugees. (2015,
September 29). Retrieved from
http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/09/29/444447532/risking-arrestthousands-of-hungarians-offer-help-to-refugees
27 Brangham, W. On the front lines of the refugee crisis, Hungarians worry about
accepting newcomers. (2015, September 9). Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/front-lines-refugee-crisis-hungarians-worryaccepting-newcomers/
10

train. However the train was blocked in Biscke, 35km west of Budapest (Hungarys capitol city).
There the Hungarian authority had prepared a camp for the refugees who were seeking asylum.
Austria's chancellor slammed Hungarys handling of this crisis and even compared it with the
deportations of the Nazi during one of the darkest period of history, the Holocaust. 29 "We want to
be part of the solution, not collateral damage," said Ivica Dacic, the Serbian Foreign Minister. He
branded the Hungarian actions as being unacceptable and demanded on talks with the other
EU leaders.30
Weve been through all these countries, this one [is] definitely the worst. It is supposed to be an
EU country, but it has broken every single tenet they had. Greece is such a poor country, and it
treated us better, said Darwish, one of the refugees that were interviewed. 31 Great number of
refugees arrived with health complications like coughs, colds and diarrhea due to the long
journey they had to endure.32 The refugees, who were once rash to get into Hungary, now find
themselves wanting to get out as soon as they could.
9.Findings

28 Reuters, T. (2015, September 15). Refugee crisis: UN says world took too long to
respond. Retrieved from http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/united-nations-refugee-crisis1.3245508
29 Martin, M., & Mcintosh, A. (2015, September 12). Austria's Faymann likens
Orban's refugee policies to Nazi deportations. Retrieved from
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/09/12/uk-europe-migrantsidUKKCN0RC0GY20150912
30 Samuels, R., & Booth, W. (2015, September 16). Hungary arrests desperate
refugees trying to breah new fence. Retrieved from
http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20150916_Hungary_arrests_desperate_refugees_t
rying_to_breach_new_fence.html
31 Hartocollis, A. (2015, September 5). Traveling in Europes River of Migrants.
Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/reportersnotebook/migrants/hungary-treatment-refugees
32 Johri, A. D. (2015, September 14). Simply put: Why is Hungary shutting out
refugees? Retrieved from http://indianexpress.com/article/explained/simply-put-whyis-hungary-shutting-out-refugees/
11

9.1

Number of refugees in European Countries and Middle Eastern Countries

Figure 1 and 2 shows the number of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in European countries as
well as in Middle Eastern countries. In the European Region, Germany acquired the highest
number of refugees - 99,000 people. The high numbers of refugees in Germany is due to
Chancellor Angela Merkels statement that they can take up to 800,000 asylum seekers this
year. Thus, many refugees chose to seek asylum in Germany. In Middle Eastern countries,
Turkey surpassed all other countries in the world by taking in as many as 1.9 million people. As
a matter of fact, Turkey has been in the forefront of helping and solving refugee issues33. Hence,
the different influx of refugees between these European and Middle Eastern countries is due to
several reasons. For instance, asylum policies are different between countries due to different
economic stability. In addition, refugees tend to seek asylum at the nearest countries, making
location as another reason for the difference.
9.2Impact of accepting refugees
9.2.1

Economic impact

Economic impact occurs when there is increased demand on natural resources, health facilities,
education, and employment due to population increase. Hence, acceptance of large numbers of
refugees may indirectly cause inflation and lower wages. Thus, there could be local tensions
between refugees and local people based on scarcity.34 On the other hand, large presence of
refugees could stimulate the economy, which may lead to the development and opening of the
host regions. Their presence also can contribute to the creation of job opportunities that could
benefit the local people. Even though there is a positive side to accepting refugees, acceptance
of refugees are seen as additional burden on the host countries economy, particularly in
developing and least developed countries.
9.2.2Environmental impact
A larger presence of refugee could affect the environment. Their mass movement brings greater
impact towards ecological systems. Host countries are unprepared for the sudden arrival of
33 Sheahen, L. (2013, August 24). Viewpoints: Impact of Syrian refugees on host
countries. BBC News.
34 Social and economic impact of large refugee populations on host developing
countries. (1977, January 6).
12

refugees. Refugees required a lot of resources such as wood, land, water, fuel, etc. The
consumption of wood by refugees will unquestionably add harm to nature as tented camps are
converted into villages35. In addition, water has a higher risk of contamination in refugee area,
which could cause the spread of diseases. Roads however would undergo heavy damage due
to greater usage to deliver food supplies and other commodities.
9.2.3Social impact
Diversity creates different outcomes depending on situation and circumstances. Different
cultural and languages generate communication barrier between refugees and local people. If
the refugees speak the same language as the host countries, there will be fewer complications.
Difference in religion could have an impact. For example, many European countries are
sensitive towards Islam due to the Islamic State (ISIS) threat, and most Syrian refugees are
Muslim. An ISIS operative claimed some 4,000 fighters were already waiting in Europe with the
intent on fulfilling ISIS's repeated threats to stage attacks around the globe 36. Granting access to
services like education and health triggered local tension between local people and the
government37. On the contrary, refugees can benefit local people through skills and expertise.
Although the numbers of skilled or educated refugees are nominal, they can still make a
significant contribution towards local people and the economy.
9.3Survey Results
An online survey was conducted to gather the public view on the treatment of the Syrian refugee
issues. The survey contained 20 questions that are divided into two parts which is the
preliminary question such as age, gender, status and nationality. The second part consisted of
academic questions. There were a total of 68 respondents from various countries all over the
world. Results of their opinions are discussed below.
35 Berry, Leah. "The Impacts of Environmental Degradation on Refugeehost
Relationships." African Security Review: 125-31. Web. 4 Oct. 2015
36 Kaplan, Michael. "Refugee Crisis: ISIS Fighters in Europe? Islamic State Extremists
Exploit Refugee Flow, Waiting To Launch Attacks, Militant Operative Says."
International Business Times 7 Sept. 2015, Politics sec. Web.
37 Impacts of Refugees on Societies. By Haya Madanat. (2013, January 29).
Retrieved October 4, 2015
13

Different countries have different asylum policies, which could be a problem for the refugee to
seek asylum. Hence, one of the statements being asked is whether asylum policies should be
standardized across the EU (Figure 3). Out of 68 respondents, 41 per cent somewhat agree
with the statement and 25 per cent definitely agree with the statement. Thus, the majority of
respondents agree that asylum policies should be standardized across EU.
Religion and beliefs are sensitive issues for countries, especially because of acts of extremist
groups. In Figure 4, 74 per cent of respondents definitely disagree that countries should reject
refugees based on their religion and beliefs. Despite this sensitivity, the survey shows that 90
per cent of the respondents either definitely or somewhat disagree that countries should reject
refugees based on their religion and beliefs.
The massive presence of refugees will affect the economy on the asylum country due to food
supplies and other financial assistance. In Figure 5, 34 per cent of respondents somewhat
agree that large-scale presence of refugees will bring positive economic impact on the asylum
country. 23 per cent do not have an opinion regarding the statement. With 43 per cent of
respondents agreeing and 34 per cent disagreeing, and a significant of respondents without
opinion, it can be said that opinion on this issue is largely divided
While one country may experience a large influx of refugees and another may not, there are
various perspectives to consider whether refugees should be fairly distributed throughout the
EU countries, based on several essential elements such as economy, size of the country, and
population. In Figure 6, 34 per cent of respondents somewhat agree and 26 per cent definitely
agree that the Syrian refugees should be fairly distributed throughout the EU.
Refugee camps may be placed near the local village and could cause demands for local
resources to increase. In Figure 7, 31 per cent of the respondents somewhat disagree and 17
per cent definitely disagree that refugees will use up the local resources or cause the local price
of goods to increase.
10.

Discussions and Recommendations

In response to the survey results, many of the respondents agreed that:

Humane conditions must prevail throughout the EU wherever refugees are received. For
this to happen, EU-wide standards with compliance by every Member State are greatly
needed. Due to the importance and international understanding of humanitarian reasons
14

and values, refugees should be provided with food, shelter and transportation, and avoid
closing of borders by police and military at all costs.

The EU must guarantee a common European code of asylum, so that asylum status is
valid throughout the EU and conditions for receiving are stable across member states.
As already accepted in the use of Schengen visa by all member countries, EU ought to
extend its uniform code of asylum to all members and ensure that it is strictly adhered to.
Thus it would make it difficult for Hungary to reject the entry of refugees into its borders
in the near future. By doing so, refugees will no longer have to trek long distances in
order to reach a particular country, where they feel they are better welcomed.

There is a need for fair distribution of refugees in Europe. German citizens are helping to
receive and integrate refugees into its society more so than ever before. But this
solidarity will only be maintained in the long term if people see that the refugee crisis is
being approached fairly throughout Europe. A state of affairs in which only a handful of
member states shoulder the entire burden is an unsustainable system, which forces
EUs outer border countries to take the strain alone. The EU must therefore reform the
Dublin Convention immediately, and find a way of creating binding and objective refugee
quotas, which take into account the ability of all member states to bear them.

Europe needs a common approach to managing its borders, which cannot be merely
restricted to securing its frontiers. Above all, EU needs to be more accountable for
registering and looking after newly arrived migrants. Identifying genuine Syrian migrants
escaping persecution is not difficult. It is a matter of utilizing the Prima Facie approach
and interviewing Syrian refugees at random.

Immediate assistance must be provided to the EU countries that are currently under
particular strain. Germany is the only EU country to have made available emergency
funds to improve the situation of refugees on the Greek islands. The EU and Member
States must become more efficient in this area and offer assistance to countries that
have given practical and financial support to the refugees. With provision of lasting and
systematic financial support, municipal authorities in Germany are better able to cope
with large influx now and in the future.

Hungary and other EU countries cannot stand idling by and watch people risk their lives
trying to reach their borders. The Mediterranean Sea cannot become a mass grave for
desperate refugees. Europes humanitarian legacy, considered as a European view of
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humanity, is hanging in the balance. With this in mind, EU launched enormous concerted
efforts to organize marine rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea in the spring. But
Hungary and other EU Member States must join in these efforts and equip the EU with
the required capacities.

Hungary and other EU Member States can only help those non-economic refugees, who
are not entitled to asylum, to eventually return to their countries of origin. For this to
happen, Hungary must make readmission a key priority of its relations with the countries
of origin, and also be prepared to make technical and financial support for these
countries contingent on constructive cooperation. Existing incentives such as visa
facilitations could be expanded.

EU must uphold a EU-wide understanding as to which nations it consider safe to return

people to. All countries of the western Balkan countries aim to join the EU, and its good
cause to extend to them the prospect of accession into the EU community. By the same
token, this means that EU cannot treat them as persecuting countries. In the future, a
country that fulfills the criteria to be a EU accession candidate should be considered
throughout the EU to be safe country of origin.

Hungary and other EU countries need an expanded immigration Act. It needs a prudent,
controlled immigration policy that facilitates lawful stays for the purposes of employment
of refugees. Hungary must reduce the burden on the asylum system in this area, while
other countries should follow suit.

11.

Conclusion

A comprehensive European asylum, refugee and migration policy should include new political
initiatives to fight the incessant migration crisis at the Hungarian borders. Stabilizing failing
states and curbing violence and civil wars must go hand in hand with concentrated efforts to
achieve economic development and create genuine economic and social prospects. The
international communitys efforts, in addition to those of the European Union and United
Nations, must be focused with the utmost intensity on this aim. Finally, Hungarian authorities
cannot put off refugee migrants any longer. They need to act now to help and receive them.
They must therefore pursue a Hungary-European asylum policy where refugee and migration
policy are founded on the principle of solidarity with shared values of humanity.

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