Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Seán Crowe TD, has called Hungary’s treatment of refugees stranded at its border as shocking and unacceptable.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“We have long heard inflammatory rhetoric coming from the Hungarian Government in relation to refugees, now we have seen the brutal physical response of their security forces.

“The stark footage of riot police firing water cannons and tear gas at refugees and assaulting some with batons is shocking and unacceptable.

“Men, woman and children fleeing from war and persecution in Syria are now faced with being tear gassed on the borders of the European Union.

“The founding principles of the EU states that the Union respects human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. Those founding principles were not evident in anyway at the Hungarian border yesterday.

“I welcome the news that Croatian Government has stated that it will allow refugees stranded at the Hungarian border to cross their territory.

“I would urge An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, to directly discuss this important issue with the Hungarian Prime Minister Vicktor Orbán, whose party is the same political grouping in the European Parliament as Fine Gael.

“I am also calling on the Hungarian Government to refrain from these violent acts against refugees.”

ENDS