THERE HAS BEEN widespread criticism of the actions of Hungary’s government and authorities in the wake of the use of tear gas, riot police and water cannon to deter migrants at the flashpoint Roszke border crossing with Serbia this week.

“We can not accept the statements, nor the attitudes, nor the barbed wire,” French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said of Budapest’s approach to the influx of migrants and refugees hoping to make their way to northern Europe.

Several other countries, as well as the United Nations, have also criticised the country’s policy towards the migrants, and the violence used against them.

Amnesty International said it was concerned about the proportionality of the police action, which resulted in dozens of injuries.

“Hungary’s unlawful actions should serve as a stark warning to other governments,” Crisis Response Director with Amnesty Tirana Hassan said.

“It’s perverse to treat people fleeing war and persecution as a threat to border security, and any country that follows this example is heading down a dangerous road.”

Photos 

A photographer working with Médecins Sans Frontières captured the images below, as its teams responded in the aftermath of the police crackdown.

The organisation says it dealt with cases of suffocation and broken bones among the migrants.

One photo shows medics tending to a man who had been beaten.

During the morning, many refugees where shouting at the Hungarian police to break the fence that separates the border between Serbia and Hungary. Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

MSF sent two mobile teams along the Serbian border after the clashes to check on the needs of those affected. Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

The teams treated a dozen or so refugees with mild suffocation symptoms. One patient had a fractured shoulder. Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

Many migrants were affected, following the deployment of tear gas and pepper spray. Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

A team that included a doctor, a nurse and a psychologist assisted a refugee that had been beaten. Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF Juan Carlos Tomasi / MSF / MSF

Hungary this week sealed its border with Serbia, and has started to close its frontier with Croatia, to cut off a major entry point into the EU for tens of thousands of migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa travelling through the western Balkans.

Tough new laws also came into effect, giving courts the power to jail people for up to three years for crossing the border illegally, rising to five years if they damage the barrier.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said he is applying EU regulations.

He also blamed Greece for waiving the migrants through, and Germany for relaxing asylum rules for Syrians.

Includes reporting from AFP.

Read: These people have locked themselves in a container for 24 hours

Read: There’s a Syrian refugee family living in the Vatican

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