Orbán threatens to close critical organizations

budapest - The Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has threatened non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that are committed to refugees and asylum seekers with closure.

'If they do not stop their dangerous activities, we'll just take them out of the country, no matter how rich or powerful they may be,' the right-wing nationalist politician said on Sunday in his annual 'speech on the state of the state.'

The Hungarian parliament opens Tuesday the debate on a package of legal measures that means new repression for NGOs who are active in refugee work. The proposal is to introduce a tax penalty of 25 percent on material aid from abroad. Furthermore, the organizations must have a permit from the Ministry of the Interior and their employees will be prohibited from stopping in the border areas of Hungary.