Use pig’s head to deter Muslim refugees, Hungarian MEP suggests

The MEP’s suggestion prompted anger online but he refused to apologise

A Member of European Parliament (MEP) from Hungary sparked outrage on Saturday when he proposed that pigs’ heads should be used on border fences to deter Muslim refugees.

In an attempt to deter refugees from crossing the border into the country, Hungary has erected a vast border fence. However, its recent childish attempt to put up scarecrows on the fences has been greatly criticised. In response to this criticism, Hungarian MEP for the Christian Democratic European Peoples’ Party Gyorgy Schopflin tweeted, “Human images are haram. But agree, pig’s head would deter more effectively.”

Last night, a member of European Parliament suggested putting pig heads on Hungary's border fence to scare refugees pic.twitter.com/QCKK11Xn1r

— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) August 21, 2016

The MEP’s suggestion prompted anger online. Andrew Stroehlein from Human Rights Watch said, “Your words are disgusting. I would expect that from anonymous neo-Nazi trolls but you’re an MEP. Act like one.”

.@schopflinMEP Your words are disgusting. I expect that from anonymous neo-Nazi trolls. But you're an MEP. Act like one. @otmarianna

— Andrew Stroehlein (@astroehlein) August 20, 2016

Schopflin refused to apologise and said criticisms of him were “beginning to resemble hate speech”. The Twitter account is listed on the official website of the European parliament as Schopflin’s account.



Hungary has been criticised for appearing to hold unduly harsh attitudes towards refugees and for failing to take its fair share of asylum seekers along with European neighbours. Local politicians have cited concerns that to do so would cost too much financially and compromise Hungary's Christian culture.

This article originally appeared on Independent.