Tens of Ukrainian refugees are forced to sleep on Hungary's streets after a legal change

Refugees were deported to the streets because of a decree signed by nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who entered into force on 21 August.

The decree limits state support for refugees who have gone to Hungary from parts of Ukraine, which Budapest says are not affected by the full rest and the war Russia has promoted.

“Since the government decree was published, we have repeatedly warned the parties involved and civil organisations about this problem, hoping there will be a solution. This should not happen in a rule-of-law state”, the REL told Magdolna Szecsi, expert at the Civil College Foundation in Hungary.

Szecs said many of those who were taken to the streets are from the Transkarpath region, which do not want to return to Ukraine, where their living conditions are <x0human>”. A large ethnic Hungarian community lives in Transcarpati, west of Ukraine.

Since they moved to Hungary, according to her, they began to integrate by sending their children to school and working. However, without state aid for housing, they cannot pay a place to live.

“I don't know what solution can be found, but it is certain that these people don't want to leave here”, she added.

According to the Hungarian government, 13 regions in Ukraine are currently accepted as directly affected by war. While all parts of Ukraine have been targeted by attacks from Russia, the front line of the war passes mainly through the eastern and southern parts of the country.

Norbert Paul, the government commissioner responsible for those who have fled Ukraine, said the decree is “reasonable and proportional” and that those who “wanted to recover in Hungary had been able to do so”.

Last week, the UN refugee agency, U n NHCR, expressed “concern” for the law, saying as many as 3,000 Ukrainians could lose access to paid housing.

“U n The NHCR constantly calls on EU member states to interpret and implement the Interim Protection Direct in a continuous and comprehensive way. The directive also requires that Hungary provide those with asylum status and adequate housing,”, it said in a statement.

“Inline, U n The NHCR urges the Hungarian government to review the current amendment. All changes regarding collective accommodation must be gradual and adequate measures must be taken to prevent someone from being homeless or forced to live in poverty as a result of changes, he added. /rel