The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [16] (UNHCR) on Sept. 25 announced that the flow of refugees into Europe shows no signs of easing or stopping, as approximately 8,000 refugees a day seek to enter Europe. Amin Awad, the regional refugee coordinator for then UNHCR stated that problems now facing governments may turn out to be only the tip of the iceberg [17]. Awad stated that the UN is planning for the potential displacement of 500,000 people from the Iraqi city of Mosul if Iraqi forces fight to recapture the city from Islamic State. Also that day, the UNHCR reported [18] about the high number of migrants entering Europe along the Serbian-Croatian border. More than 50,000 migrants have entered through the town of Tovarnik, Croatia since mid-September.
Earlier this month, German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged other EU countries [19] to assist in accommodating the influx of refugees from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, saying that the burden cannot fall on just a few countries. Two days earlier, the Hungarian National Assembly passed a number of emergency measures [20] to address the recent mass migration.
From Jurist [21], Sept. 26. Used with permission.
Note: The new Hungarian measures impose a state of emergency in the country and establishes strict punishments, including prison time, for immigrants that violate its provisions. New criminal offenses include damage to the new "security fence [22]" being built along the 175-kilometer frontier with Serbia.
