Hungarian minister: Put pigs’ heads on border to deter refugees

A Hungarian member of European Parliament has suggested pigs’ heads be placed along its border fence to keep migrants and refugees out of the country.

Gyorgy Schopflin, who sits on the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, caused outrage when he tweeted the idea.

His comment came in response to criticism of people who have placed masks made from vegetables along the border, in an apparent bid to deter migrants and refugees.

Human Rights Watch director Andrew Stroehlein tweeted on Friday: “Refugees are fleeing war & torture, Hungary. Your root vegetable heads will not deter them.”

Schopflin tweeted in response: “Might do so. Human images are haram. But agree, pig’s head would deter more effectively.

Twitter users subsequently mocked him. Schopflin told Reuters he planned no apology. “It’s anthropologically intriguing how sensitive the topos is.”

Last year, Hungry erected a razor wire topped fence along its southern border to stop migrants and refugees entering the country. The area is also patrolled by thousands of extra troops.