Hungary has implemented a new law that could force thousands of Ukrainian refugees onto the streets or return to Ukraine.
The provision limits state support for Ukrainians to those from regions of Ukraine directly affected by the fighting caused by the Russian invasion.
There are 13 regions in Ukraine on the list, and the Hungarian government updates the list every month.
It is unclear how many of the 31,000 Ukrainians taking refuge in Ukraine will be affected by the new law.
Human rights groups say the most vulnerable are the Roma minority from the westernmost region of Transcarpathia, who still live in shelters set to close.
Their situation is further complicated by the fact that many hold dual Ukrainian and Hungarian citizenship. This makes them ineligible for asylum elsewhere in the EU.
Under the new law, only Ukrainians whose last official address in Ukraine was in an area “directly affected by military operations” are eligible for state support, which includes free housing and a basic monthly amount.
Government Decree No. 134 amends legislation in place since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
