Hungarian city wants refugee camp moved

The city of Debrecen is asking the Justice Ministry to relocate the refugee camp outside the town, as it feels that the situation has deteriorated since regulations were changed at the beginning of the year.

Changes introduced from January mean that preliminary investigations of refugee claimants take place at the camp near Békéscsaba and those who are granted refugee status are accommodated near Bicske. The Debrecen camp hosts those who have passed a preliminary examination but have yet to receive refugee status.

Debrecen objects that persons with unclear status can move about in larger numbers in the city, constituting a hazard to public security.

The Debrecen camp was established in 1995 in a garrison once used by Soviet troops. Since then, refugees from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Bosnia, Romania, and Ukraine have been placed in the camp.

Local residents have opposed the camp from the start. An estimated 10% of thefts in stores were committed by camp inmates last year.

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