Hungary's army can use rubber bullets on refugees

BUDAPEST, Hungary

Hungarian troops will be able to use rubber bullets against refugees seeking to enter the country after lawmakers passed a motion Monday, local media said.

More than three-quarters of parliamentarians voted in favor of giving the military a role in border security, including the use of rubber bullets and tear gas.

The vote, broadcast on Hungarian TV, saw 151 of 199 lawmakers support the law while 27 abstained and 12 voted against.

“It is Hungary’s historic and moral obligation to protect Europe,” Prime Minister Victor Orban said ahead of the vote. “When we defend Hungary’s borders we also protect Europe.”

He said Hungary was fighting “short-sighted European policies” and called for an EU force to guard Europe’s southern borders and for refugee camps to be located outside the EU.

According to Hungarian police, 224,235 people have entered the country this year - 201,687 crossing from Serbia and 21,966 from Croatia.

More than 300,000 are expected by the end of the year, compared to 2,000 in 2012.

The refugees, most fleeing wars in Syria and Iraq, usually continue to Austria and Germany.