Hungary - The African Mirror

Jun

2023

Hungary frees 777 foreigners convicted of people smuggling

HUNGARY has in recent weeks freed 777 foreigners, mostly Serbian, Ukrainian and Romanian nationals, convicted of human trafficking, the directorate of prisons said on Wednesday in a reply to Reuters questions. Citing overcrowded prisons, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government issued a decree in April allowing the release of foreign nationals convicted of people smuggling, on condition that they leave Hungary within 72 hours once freed. The move drew a protest from neighbouring Austria, a top destination for smuggled migrants heading for the heart of the European Union via Hungary from the Balkans. Vienna said it regards the release of human traffickers as…

Apr

2023

By PHILIP PULLELLA, KRISZTINA THAN and BOLDIZSAR GYORI

Pope, in Hungary, warns of rising nationalism in Europe, appeals for accepting migrants

WORLD

POPE Francis, starting a trip to Hungary, pointedly warned of the dangers of rising nationalism in Europe and told the Budapest government that accepting migrants along with the rest of the continent would be a true sign of Christianity. In a hard-hitting speech to government leaders including Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has had a series of run-ins with the European Union, Francis also urged a rejection of "self-referential forms of populism" and strictly nationalist interests. Francis called for a return to the "European soul" envisioned by those who laid the groundwork for modern Europe after World War Two, saying…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

EXCLUSIVE-Hungary could be sanctioned over anti-LGBT+ law, warns EU equality chief

LGBT+

HUGO GREENHALGH THE EU could impose funding restrictions on Hungary over legislation that bans the dissemination in schools of content deemed to promote homosexuality and gender change, the bloc's equality chief told the Thomson Reuters Foundation on Tuesday. Speaking shortly before Hungary's parliament approved the ban, European Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli said Brussels was prepared to take measures similar to those imposed on Polish regions that had declared themselves "LGBT-free". "The message is that if you don't uphold the values of democracy or equality of the European Union, you are not entitled to take money for your project," Dalli said in…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

EU strikes down Hungary university reform, Soros wants EU to set example

WORLD

FRANSESCO GUARASCIO and MARTON DUNAI THE European Union's top court said on Tuesday that Hungary breached EU law with its reform of higher education rules, which forced a university founded by George Soros to move most of its activities out of the country. The ruling follows a complaint from the European Commission and is one of many issues in which the EU has clashed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, accused in Brussels of a backslide on civil liberties, corruption and the rule of law. Hungary's justice minister said Budapest would implement the European Court of Justice ruling but reiterated…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Hungarian Grand Prix

MULTIMEDIA

A dominant Lewis Hamilton has won his second race of the season and equaled Formula One legend’s Michael Schumacher’s record of eight successive wins at the Hungarian Grand Prix.Hamilton, the defending champion, led from pole to finish and was never under threat from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who finished in second position, eight seconds behind Hamilton.