Creepy scarecrows keep migrants away from Hungarian border? (PHOTOS)
Pictures of sinister scarecrows reportedly planted to keep refugees away from the Hungarian border have appeared on social media. The country is to hold a referendum to decide if it will further accept the EU’s mandatory migrant quota system.
The photos were released on Facebook by a group that pledges support to Hungary's police and troops, including those patrolling the border.
According to the group, the figures were carved from sugar beets. And the scarecrows which look like villains from some horror movie seem to be working – asylum seekers are reportedly avoiding such areas.
“Scarecrows made from sugar beet. Apparently working No [migrant] crossings in 4 weeks,” the statement under the pictures states. The post has gathered almost 3,000 ‘likes’ so far since Sunday.
Hungary has taken anti-immigrant stance since 2015, when scores of refugees started making their way to Europe.
Some more scarecrows at the #Hungary-an border fence, put out to frighten #migrants. Source: https://t.co/CAGdMtN2hUpic.twitter.com/K2wrUoEdQV
— Szabolcs Panyi (@panyiszabolcs) August 15, 2016
In September 2015, in an attempt to prevent migrants from illegally crossing into Hungary, the government decided to erect a fence on the border with Serbia. It also introduced punishments of up to three years in prison for those crossing the border illegally or damaging the barrier.
However, the 4-meter-high razor-wire fence hasn’t stopped thousands of illegal migrants from forcing their way into the country. Around 400,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Hungary in 2015, according to reports in Hungarian media.
READ MORE: Hungary launches controversial anti-migrant campaign
In July, the government announced that it will hold a referendum on October 2 to decide if the country will further accept the EU’s mandatory migrant quota system. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who initiated the decision, earlier said a ‘no’ vote would be in favor of Hungary's independence.
The goal of the European Commission’s proposal on migrant quotas is to redistribute the weight of the refugee crisis from countries such as Greece by introducing automatic asylum quotas for each EU member state. Countries that refuse will face mandatory financial penalties.
