CoE calls on Hungary to end collective expulsion of asylum-seekers

The Committee of Ministers examined Hungary’s execution of three rulings issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in cases concerning asylum-seekers, according to a statement.

The committee determined that the Hungarian authorities had failed to assess the risks of ill-treatment before expelling the asylum-seekers in question to Serbia. It called on Hungary to thoroughly examine whether asylum applicants have access to an adequate asylum procedure in Serbia and if the principle of non-refoulement is respected, before expelling them.

In connection with another case, the Strasbourg-based body noted that the ECtHR had found that Hungary had violated the rights of an asylum-seeker on account of the applicant’s collective expulsion because the authorities had not guaranteed the individual the right to effective legal remedy. The committee called on the Hungarian authorities “to intensify their efforts in reforming the asylum system to afford effective access to means of legal entry”.

Members of the committee also expressed concern over reports on continued collective expulsions to Serbia. It called on the Hungarian authorities to end the practice of deporting asylum-seekers to Serbia without their identification or an assessment of their individual situation.

The committee also invited CoE member states to raise the issue of the implementation of the rulings in question with their Hungarian counterparts.