EU opens case against Hungary on refugee policies

The European Commission on Thursday opened an infringement case against Hungary over its recently adopted asylum law because it breaches European Union rules.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's policy is to fend off the flow of hundreds of thousands of migrants pouring into Europe from the Middle East and Asia, which has triggered criticism from his neighbors.

Orban stated in September that Muslims are not welcome in Hungary, and has rejected the EU's resettlement quotas.

Earlier this month, Orban also referred to the nearly 500,000 Syrian refugees to be resettled in the EU as a “nasty surprise.”

The EU executive said Thursday that it was not satisfied with the response from Hungarian authorities regarding its concerns over Orban's policy.

“As a consequence of these concerns, the Commission has today initiated an infringement procedure and sent a letter of formal notice to Hungary. The Hungarian authorities have two months to respond to the Commission,” the EU executive said.

UN chief Ban-Ki Moon has expressed “shock” over Hungary's treatment of migrants and refugees.

The country has erected barbed-wire fences on its borders with Serbia and Croatia, and has deployed water cannons and tear gas against asylum seekers attempting to cross its borders.

Al Jazeera and wire services