According to the document, the referendum question is pointless: the EU has not introduced nor is it planning to introduce mandatory resettlement quotas, and the outcome of the referendum will not have any direct legal consequences.

“The referendum and the accompanying campaign are solely aimed at inciting hatred against refugees,” the statement said adding that the “real” question of the national vote is whether “this country could ever become a humane community”.

The statement was signed by the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, Migration Aid, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union, the Evangelical Community and other groups. On October 2, voters will be asked: “Do you want to allow the European Union to mandate the resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary without the approval of parliament?”

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.