The Supreme Court of the European Union imposed a hefty fine on Hungary amounting to €200 million euros. This decision comes in response to Hungary's failure to adhere to EU directives on its asylum policies. The Court of the European Union made this announcement, highlighting Hungary's non-compliance as a serious violation of EU law, BTA reports.
Back in December 2020, the court already clarified its position on the procedures Hungary must follow to grant international protection status and manage the return of third-country nationals.
Hungary was expected to make its asylum policies more accessible and fair, ensuring that applicants seeking international protection could stay in the country while their appeals were processed.
In addition, the guidelines call for a more structured approach to the expulsion of persons residing in Hungary without proper authorization.
The court's recent statement underscored the gravity of Hungary's failure to act, describing it as an “unprecedented and extremely serious breach of European Union law”. It is clear that the EU expects Hungary to take decisive steps after the 2020 decision, especially to improve access to the international protection procedure and protect the rights of asylum seekers during the appeal process.
This fine serves as a stark reminder of the importance the EU attaches to Member States adhering to common policies and decisions, especially those affecting the lives of people seeking asylum and protection. Hungary's failure to implement these necessary measures has not only resulted in a significant financial penalty, but has also highlighted the challenges within the EU in ensuring uniform asylum policies across its member states.