The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has mandated Hungary to pay a substantial fine of €200 million for failing to uphold asylum seekers’ rights, marking an “unprecedented” violation of EU laws. Additionally, Budapest faces a daily penalty of €1 million until it aligns with EU asylum policies.
In a critical ruling issued on Thursday, the Luxembourg-based court highlighted Hungary’s “deliberate evasion” of EU regulations, labeling it a “significant threat” to EU law unity and member state equality. This penalty exceeds the European Commission’s initial request, citing “aggravating circumstances” due to Hungary’s repeated non-compliance.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán denounced the ruling as “outrageous and unacceptable,” arguing it prioritizes “illegal migrants” over European citizens.
The judgment addresses Hungary’s 2020 law, which limited asylum claims by requiring a “declaration of intent” at a non-EU Hungarian embassy. Consequently, asylum applications plummeted, with Hungary receiving only 30 in 2023 compared to Cyprus’s 12,000.
The court found Hungary’s law breached EU asylum rules and Geneva conventions, criticizing unlawful removals and lack of appeal rights for denied asylum seekers. Hungary’s actions, it concluded, severely undermine the rights of non-EU nationals and stateless persons, effectively blocking asylum applications at the border.
Earlier, Amnesty International released a report accusing the Hungarian government of a systematic effort to violate refugees’ rights, including restricting their ability to apply for asylum.
The Court of Justice of the European Union, which has its seat in Luxembourg, consists of three courts: the Court of Justice, the General Court (created in 1988) and the Civil Service Tribunal (created in 2004). Since their establishment, approximately 15 000 judgments have been delivered by the three courts.
