Hungary faces international backlash after police use tear gas on migrants

Hungary is facing an international outcry over the treatment of migrants after clashes broke out on its border with Serbia. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led the condemnation after police fired tear gas and used water cannon on hundreds of migrants. He said: “Men, women and children fleeing war and persecution deserve real support, including asylum. I ask those standing in the way of the rights of refugees to stand in their shoes. People facing barrel bombs and brutality in their country will continue to seek life in another.”

I was shocked to see how these refugees and migrants were treated. It’s not acceptable.

Ban Ki-moon

Police went on the offensive after the crowd of migrants broke through a razor wire fence with reports of two people being seriously injured and hundreds needing treatment. A pregnant woman was seen being stretchered from the scene and footage later emerged of distressed and injured children who had been in the line of fire. International Rescue Committee president David Miliband said the scenes showed “a dark side of the European character” and accused Hungary of “bully boy tactics”. However, Hungary has defended the tactics, saying 20 officers were hurt in the clash, while former foreign minister Geza Jeszenszky said “similar would be shown by the British police… it is a kind of riot”.

We fled wars and violence and did not expect such brutality and inhumane treatment in Europe.

Iraqi migrant Amir Hassan

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