Serbia

Hungary puts inmates to work on anti-migrant border fence

Defense Minister Csaba Hende said 900 people will be working to install the 4-meter (13 foot) high fence along the 175-kilometer (109-mile) border.

"The Hungarian defense force is ready to complete this task," Hende said near the southern town of Morahalom.

UN agency worries as Hungary rushes to tighten asylum rules

In an open letter to Hungarian lawmakers, the UNHCR regional representative in Central Europe, said that while every country had the right to defend its borders and protect its citizens, the planned amendments "would make it impossible for people fleeing persecution to access international protection in Hungary."

Hungary to build fence on Serbian border as fast as possible

Austria, meanwhile, reacted angrily to Hungary's announcement that, for an indefinite period, it would not take back refugees it registered when they entered Hungary but left for other destinations in Europe before their asylum requests were decided.

Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters that several laws needed to be amended before construction of the fence could begin so he could not say exactly when the work on the "temporary border seal" could start.

VIDEO: NGO opposes fence to keep out migrants

But people making the arduous trek to escape war and persecution say a wall won't stop them from seeking new lives in western Europe.

Tens of thousands of migrants have arrived in the country, mostly from the Middle East and Africa.

Most of the migrants reaching Hungary from Serbia come north on the so-called Balkan route, often after having passed through Turkey, Greece or Bulgaria.