Migrants tear-gassed by Hungary police at Serbian border

[webfact]

Hungarian police clash with migrants at Serbian border
By DUSAN STOJANOVIC and VANESSA GERA

HORGOS, Serbia (AP) — Baton-wielding Hungarian riot police unleashed tear gas and water cannons against hundreds of migrants Wednesday after they broke through a razor-wire fence and tried to surge into the country from Serbia. Crying children fled the acrid smoke and dozens of people were injured in the chaos.

With their path blocked, hundreds of other asylum-seekers turned to a longer, more arduous path to Western Europe through Croatia, where officials said 1,300 had arrived in a single day — a number that was sure to grow.

On the sealed border into Hungary, frustrated men — many of them war refugees from Syria and Iraq — hurled rocks and plastic water bottles at the helmeted riot police as they chanted "Open" Open!" in English. Children and women cried as the young men, their faces wrapped in scarves, charged toward the police through thick smoke from tear gas and tires set on fire by the crowd.

"We fled wars and violence and did not expect such brutality and inhumane treatment in Europe," shouted an Iraqi, Amir Hassan, his eyes red from tear gas and his hair and clothing soaked after being hit by blasts of water cannon spray.

"Shame on you, Hungarians," he shouted pointing in the direction of the shielded Hungarian policemen who were firing volleys of tear gas canisters directly into the crowd.

Around him, women screamed and wailed, covering their faces with scarves as they poured bottled water into their sobbing children's eyes to relieve the stinging. Children gasped from the gas; blood streamed down the face of one man as he ran from the melee, carrying a small child. People fainted from the noxious plumes of tear gas, including one woman who collapsed while holding a baby.

At least two people were seriously injured and 200 to 300 others received medical care for tear gas inhalation and injuries such as cuts, bruises and burns, said Dr. Margit Pajor, who treated people at a medical center in Kanjiza, Serbia.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed "shock" at the behavior of Hungarian police, calling it unacceptable. Referring to Syria, he said: "People facing barrel bombs and brutality in their country will continue to seek life in another."

Hungarian authorities insisted they acted legitimately in self-defense, describing the migrants as violent and dangerous.

"We will employ all legal means to protect Hungary's border's security," said Gyorgy Bakondi, homeland security adviser to Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "We will not permit violent, armed, aggressive attackers to enter."

The ugly developments in Europe's migrant crisis took place after some of those massed in Serbia broke through a gate. They and hundreds of others had grown desperate after Hungary sealed off its border with Serbia with a razor-wire fence the day before to stop the huge numbers of migrants entering Hungary, which lies on a popular route to Western Europe.

More than 200,000 have entered Hungary this year alone, turning the country into one of the main entry points into Europe for the rising numbers of people fleeing war and persecution in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere.

Orban said Wednesday he plans to also build stretches of fence along the border with Croatia. A day earlier his government said it was also extending the fence along a stretch of its border with Romania. Both Croatia and Romania, like Hungary, are members of the EU, and the moves are straining ties with those allies and herald the unusual prospect of fortress-like barriers between EU states.

After the clashes with police, chaotic scenes also erupted as some private groups delivered aid in trucks. People fought over food, water and clothing, with no Serbian policemen or anyone else to establish order.

It was clear that Hungary's ties with Serbia were facing deep strains.

Hungary's foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, decried what he called "brutal attacks" by the migrants against Hungarian police and asked Serbian authorities to crack down on the migrants on its soil.

Serbia said it would send more police to the border to separate the migrants from Hungarian police. But Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, on a visit to the United States, condemned the "brutal treatment" of migrants by Hungarian police.

"We will not allow anyone to humiliate us and we will not allow anyone to throw tear gas on Serbia's territory," Vucic said.

Meanwhile, Serbian state television said three of its staff members reporting at the border were beaten by Hungarian police with batons and that their equipment was broken.

Radio-Television Serbia said that Hungarian police pushed a cameraman against the wall and then beat him on the head and back and then smashed his camera. A reporter's arm was also hurt. The beatings occurred while the journalists stood between police and the migrants even though they identified themselves as journalists, the broadcaster said.

Hungarian authorities said they have arrested 519 migrants who tried to cross the border since tough new laws went into effect Tuesday that make it a crime to cross from Serbia anywhere other than at legal checkpoints. Authorities launched 46 criminal prosecutions and found nine people guilty, the first convictions based on the new laws.

The asylum-seekers, who were escorted into court in handcuffs, were expelled from Hungary and banned from re-entering the country for either one or two years. They were provided with lawyers and translators.

Syrian President Bashar Assad blamed Europe for the crisis, saying it was a direct result of the West's support for extremists in Syria over the past four years.

In an interview with Russian media, Assad accused Europe of supporting "terrorism" and providing "protection for terrorists, calling them moderates."

Earlier in the day, Hungary's foreign minister denied the closed borders and tough new laws signaled callousness toward refugees, repeating the government's claim that most of those entering Hungary are actually economic migrants.

"Based on our history, we are always in solidarity with the refugees," Szijjarto told The Associated Press in an interview. "What we're saying is that we cannot accept economic migrants because we cannot bear the burden of that."

Some asylum-seekers trapped at the border were confused about whether to keep waiting or to try to enter the EU through Croatia, where there are still mines left over from the Balkan wars. A de-mining expert was killed earlier this week when one of the mines exploded, but not in the region where the migrants are expected to travel.

Croatia's Mine Action Center says there are still 500 square kilometers (193 square miles) of suspicious areas throughout the country, but all have been clearly marked.

De-mining experts have been working recently in areas where the migrants will pass to remove remaining mines.

"I don't know what to do — stay here or try some other way to cross the border," said Ahmed Sami from Aleppo, Syria. "We walked and traveled for hundreds, thousands of kilometers only to be stopped meters from the European Union. My wife and children cannot stand on their feet any more. This is tragic."

Croatian Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic criticized Hungary's decision to seal its border with Serbia and said Croatia will not do the same.

"We are ready to accept these people, regardless of their religion and the color of their skin, and direct them to the destinations where they wish to go, Germany and Scandinavia," Milanovic told lawmakers in Parliament.

Elsewhere in Europe, migrants remained on the move.

Greek police said some 5,000 people trying to reach Western Europe crossed the country's northern border with Macedonia over the 24-hour period from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.
___

Gera reported from Budapest, Hungary. Associated Press reporters Mike Corder in Roszke, Hungary; Pablo Gorondi and Alex Kuli in Budapest; Darko Bandic in Tovarnik, Croatia; Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia; and George Jahn in Vienna contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-09-17

[baboon]

A firm message from the Hungarian authorities as to exactly who is in charge of what happens on Hungarian territory. Croatia can try and make all the political capital it wants out of this, but I wonder how many tens of thousands they are prepared to house in first world conditions, find well paying jobs for and pay for the same standard of healthcare and pensions as upper middle class Germans and Swedes would expect, as nothing less will suffice for these desperate folk. Until then, they can get out of the pulpit.

[katana]

Video of the migrants and tear gas on the ITV news website:

http://www.itv.com/news/story/2015-09-16/water-cannon-and-tear-gas-fired-at-refugees-on-serbia-hungarian-border/

[steven100]

Well done Hungary for having the balls to stand up and protect your border from illegal immigrants or these country shoppers.!!

I watched this for 2 hours on TV last night and while nobody likes to see young children injured or affected by tear gas, Hungary has the right to stop these country shoppers from trying to smash the gates open to enter illegally.

[whatproblem]

Thank you Hungary,the British people still have a friend in government

Edited September 17, 2015 by whatproblem

[BuaBS]

Well done Hungary !

You'd think the Serbes would be the last country to let the muslim "refugees" through , after the genocide in Bosnia.

[micmichd]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

[Baerboxer]

"We fcukced up our own countries, enjoy corruption, totalitarian regimes and religious intolerance and bigotry. We demand you let us impose our values, culture and total disrespect for you, your laws, religion, culture and heritage. If not we will resort to violence, Give us all we demand".

How Merkel and Juncke must be congratulating themselves for the generous hospitality. Just send Germany the bill for their "guests" whilst passing through you country and behaving how they like.

Well done Hungary - standing up for Europe and not for the first time!

[robertthebruce]

Watched this on the Telly last night, so so sad to watch desperate people trying to flee and get through the borders heading for ''Germany'.

I doubt much would stay in ''Hungary'' as its a poor Country, Germany seems to be the Promised Land..

All in All very sad to watch..

[Mosha]

Put the women and children in camps, send the men of fighting age back to fight for their country.

[Steely Dan]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

I suggest you read how the Schengen Agreement is supposed to work. The 'migrants' should register in the first Country they reach within the Schengen area. This is somewhat different than choosing from an a la carte menu of benefits and provisions.

[micmichd]

Put the women and children in camps, send the men of fighting age back to fight for their country.

Fight for Assad?

[micmichd]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

I suggest you read how the Schengen Agreement is supposed to work. The 'migrants' should register in the first Country they reach within the Schengen area. This is somewhat different than choosing from an a la carte menu of benefits and provisions.

You mean the Dublin II treaty which was pushed by Germany and is now de facto suspended.

You know I actually hate Germany, but even Germany should have a chance to correct mistakes.

[Steely Dan]

The Hungarians have just arrested and detained 29 migrants at their border with Serbia, including one who they state is an identified terrorist.

[MockingJay]

Way to go, Hungary!

Quick, type up a "How to repel illegal and aggressive immigrants for Dummies" book and send it to that spineless clown Angela Merkel!

[Sam Jones]

Well done, Hungary - you did what the DDR bitch Merkel didnt dare to do ... Not to mention the no cojones fool Cameron ...

Keep on with teargas and Water cannons and if these Cowards, that cant fight ISIS cause of fear, dosent back down then bring in Anti-terror forces ... Many of these smoochers are terrorists not migrants ...

[micmichd]

Guess some super-patriotic anti-terrorist wants to volunteer to fight IS in Syria.

Good to see that there are still brave fighters willing to sacrifice their lives for the British Empire.

Edited September 17, 2015 by micmichd

[Usernames]

Interesting that the Hungarians clubbed the Serbian TV crew. I just wish they had managed to lay their batons into CNN, too, and especially Arwa Damon.

[Loptr]

And where is the UN and the numpties from Brussels in all of this? Oh, they are too busy handing out platitudes and giving each other a reach-around to deliver any type of real solution, like stopping the western destruction of Iraq and Syria, and providing aid to these people in their own countries... Sad, but true...

[Scott]

And where is the UN and the numpties from Brussels in all of this? Oh, they are too busy handing out platitudes and giving each other a reach-around to deliver any type of real solution, like stopping the western destruction of Iraq and Syria, and providing aid to these people in their own countries... Sad, but true...

The UN probably isn't far away and are ready to step in, if needed. But the UN is an expensive alternative.

The UN generally works in areas where there is the lack of laws, rules and the ability to deal with humanitarian aspects of the situation. They also help handle camps, if needed. These people are on the move.

[h90]

Put the women and children in camps, send the men of fighting age back to fight for their country.

Fight for Assad?

Or ISIS. You have the choice between an liberal socialist and extreme Islamist there. Both aren't my flavor.....But as Atheist I would prefer to keep my head on my shoulders and would go with Assad.

[h90]

Well done, Hungary - you did what the DDR bitch Merkel didnt dare to do ... Not to mention the no cojones fool Cameron ...

Keep on with teargas and Water cannons and if these Cowards, that cant fight ISIS cause of fear, dosent back down then bring in Anti-terror forces ... Many of these smoochers are terrorists not migrants ...

Merkel does what Obama tells her to do. As STASI agent she is used to follow orders....just the boss has changed.

[manarak]

I really dislike the headlines made my leftist journos

"migrants tear-gassed by hungary police at serbian border after migrants assaulted the border fence and attacked hungarian border guards and threw stones at them"

[shirtless]

Note all the rubbish they leave in their wake , they disrespect everything we fought for , and cost us a great deal of money for those that are all for these migrants you pay their way.

[MaeJoMTB]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

Freedom of movement is an EEA agreement, for EEA citizens.

Nothing to do with the EU.

Last time I looked, Serbia wasn't on the list of EEA treaty countries.

[micmichd]

Put the women and children in camps, send the men of fighting age back to fight for their country.

Fight for Assad?

Or ISIS. You have the choice between an liberal socialist and extreme Islamist there. Both aren't my flavor.....But as Atheist I would prefer to keep my head on my shoulders and would go with Assad.

It's not that easy, there are more than 2 parties fighting in Syria.

Basher-al Assad is not a liberal socialist like his father, he turned out to be a brutal warlord.

As an atheist, I wouldn't fight for a government that is permanently threatening the lives of my family or my property. It's the duty of a Leviathan to protect citizens' lives, not to ruin them.

Edited September 18, 2015 by micmichd

[micmichd]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

Freedom of movement is an EEA agreement, for EEA citizens.

Nothing to do with the EU.

Last time I looked, Serbia wasn't on the list of EEA treaty countries.

Hungary is.

[MaeJoMTB]

Taking into account that most of these refugees are heading to Germany, it's sad to see that Hungary is now doing the dirty job for Germany again.

Either there is freedom of travel in Europe, or it is not. If not, then Germany should leave the EU.

Freedom of movement is an EEA agreement, for EEA citizens.

Nothing to do with the EU.

Last time I looked, Serbia wasn't on the list of EEA treaty countries.

Hungary is.

I don't believe your grasp of English is good enough for you to participate sensibly in most of these discussions.

Let me try to explain in simpler terms,

Walking into Hungary doesn't make you a Hungarian citizen, and doesn't entitle you to agreements that cover Hungarian citizens.

If you aren't a citizen of an EEA country, you don't get any benefits from EEA agreements and treaties.

Edited September 18, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[micmichd]

MaeJoMTB,

I guess my English is good enough to distinguish Hungary from Serbia.

It is well noticed that Syria is not an EEA country.

Have you ever heard about Human Rights?

Edited September 18, 2015 by micmichd

[manarak]

MaeJoMTB,

I guess my English is good enough to distinguish Hungary from Serbia.

It is well noticed that Syria is not an EEA country.

Have you ever heard about Human Rights?

Look, when people are in Serbia, they are not within the EEA, they have to cross an outer border of the EEA to get in. EEA freedom of travel does not apply to persons who are not within the EEA. Simple.