Hungary to penalise NGOs that aid illegal immigrants

Individuals or groups who help migrants not entitled to protection to submit requests for asylum or who help illegal migrants to gain status to stay in Hungary will be liable to jail under a new bill submitted to parliament.


The legislation is part of Prime Minister Viktor Orban government's campaign against George Soros, a Hungarian-born US financier known for funding liberal causes.

The text of the legislation, known as the "Stop Soros" bill, which was posted on parliament's official website said: "Those who provide financial means ... or conduct this organizational activity on a regular basis will be punishable with up to one year in prison."

"We need an action plan to defend Hungary and this is the Stop Soros package of bills," the interior ministry said in the legislation.

It said there were international and also Hungarian organisations helping the entry of illegal migrants to Hungary and "sanctioning these is justified". It did not name any groups.
 (rte)
 29/5/18