Report on the Border Monitoring in 2008-2009 (2010)
The National Police Headquarters (ORFK), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Regional Representation and the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) present the second tripartite report on the border monitoring project that is internationally considered as a best example for the cooperation between state authorities and non-state actors.
The biannual report presents the common findings of the joint border monitoring activities of the parties together with their common recommendations for future cooperation.
What is border monitoring?
In the course of their regular monitoring missions the lawyers of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee control if Hungary complies with its obligations under international human rights instruments, namely if foreigners in need of international protection actually have access to the territory of the country and to the asylum procedure while the police carries out its border management activities.
Effective cooperation – problematic practice?
According to the HHC’s experience in 2008-2009 the submission of asylum applications still raises concerns at certain border sections. Furthermore, the worrisome practice of initiating criminal prosecution against asylum seekers for the use of forged travel documents still exists that may result in several months of pre-trial detention of later recognized refugees.