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Report on the Study Visit Conducted to Hungary Related to Ukrainian Refugees By the Ombudsman Institution of Türkiye

which is the Hungarian border gate with Romania, Zahony train station,
and the temporary regional offices of the Ombudsman’s Office of Hungary
in Budapest, Beregsurány and Zahony train station have been visited
within the scope of the study visit. In addition, meetings have been held
with the Police Chiefs of the border counties of Hajdú-Bihar and Szabolcs-
Szatmár-Bereg. Thanks to the aforementioned visits and meetings, it has
been possible to receive direct information from the authorities, and the
services provided to refugees have been observed on site. As a result of
the information received and the observations made, it has been confirmed
that Hungary has reacted rapidly to the sudden and intense refugee influx
and opened its doors to anyone who has declared that they flee the war,
regardless of their nationality. In Hungary, which, as a European Union
Country included in the Schengen area, has established a registration
system in compliance with the necessary criteria, it has been found that
the relevant system works rapidly and that thanks to mobile devices,
information can be collected from people at the border without having to
leave their vehicle. It has been observed that the reception centres serve
in accordance with their purpose and that administrative procedures are
performed effectively, thanks to the presence of representatives of all
relevant institutions at these centres. Also, it has been seen that not only
families with children but also pet owners have been taken into consideration
in terms of their needs and that the necessary areas and materials are
available accordingly. It has been determined that the Ombudsman’s Office
of Hungary has also responded rapidly to the sudden refugee influx that its
country faces by providing service in the field with the temporary regional
offices established and making a devoted effort, while the Hungarian people
also support these efforts voluntarily. In addition, it is important within the
framework of Hungary’s positive approach to Ukrainian refugees that the
Hungarian government provides the Ukrainians with the right of temporary
residence for 30 days to give them the opportunity to think about whether
or not to seek asylum.

Another finding is that Hungary’s experience differs significantly from
that of Türkiye with Syrian refugees. First of all, Ukrainians use Hungary
as a country of transit, and only around 8,000 people have applied for
asylum in the country. Due to Ukraine’s ban on leaving the country for
men aged 18-65, women and children constitute the majority of those who
have arrived. In addition, many of those who have arrived have passports.
The presence of those who speak Hungarian among people arriving
and young people who speak English reduces the language barrier to a

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