Rights groups urge boycott of Hungary's anti-refugee vote
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An anti-refugee sign posted by the Hungarian government reads “Did you know? The Paris attacks were committed by refugees.” (File photo)
Two dozen human rights groups have urged voters in Hungary to boycott an “inhumane” government-sponsored referendum on relocating refugees.
According to Press TV, Hungarians are due to vote on October 2 on whether their country should accept a portion of refugees under an EU quota plan without requiring parliamentary approval.
Right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban fiercely opposed to scheme, characterizing it an attack on national sovereignty and a bid to "redraw Europe's cultural and religious identity."
Opposition groups have denounced Orban's "campaign of fear" which they say the government is whipping up against refugees.
On Wednesday, a joint statement by 22 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said they had decided to campaign for the referendum to be rendered invalid.
The statement signed by the Helsinki Committees for Human Rights group among others said the referendum "does not allow the promotion of our common values, has no sense and is inhumane.”
Orban has refused to take a single refugee, sending some 400,000 refugees who had arrived in the country to other countries.
His government has built fences on its southern borders and launched an acrimonious campaign against refugees linking them to crime and terrorism.
Posters plastered on lampposts and billboards nationwide read, "Did You Know? Brussels wants to settle a city-sized number of illegal migrants in Hungary."
On Friday, Orban claimed Hungary's future was at stake as he urged voters to reject the EU quota plan. Polls suggest that some 75 percent of Hungarians will back his ant-refugee campaign of “Keep Them Out” in the referendum.
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