HUNGARY 701 1. Statistical Data UNHCR data show that there were 48 Palestinian refugees and 77 Palestinian asylum seekers in Hungary 2013 (the only year for which data are available).702 The data also show that at the start of 2013, there were 5 Palestinian asylum cases pending, and 88 new applications by Palestinians throughout the year. Of these, 5 were granted Convention status; 9 were rejected; and 75 cases were ‘otherwise closed,’ reportedly leaving 77 cases pending at the end of 2013.703 2. Refugee Status Determination: The Process Along with other asylum seekers, Palestinians in Hungary may submit an application for asylum to the Office of Immigration and Nationality (OIN).704 Asylum seekers have the right to legal assistance during the asylum application process, and may receive aid from non-governmental organizations if they do not otherwise have the resources to obtain legal representation.705 After an asylum application is submitted to the OIN, the asylum seeker is assigned to a reception center where he or she must live for the duration of the application process.706 Additionally, Hungary may detain an asylum seeker if necessary. Hungary permits the asylum seeker to work in the territory of the reception center and to contact the UNHCR representative in Hungary.707 A representative from UNHCR may attend or take part in any other portion of the initial application process.708 The OIN will also take photos of and fingerprints from each asylum seeker.709 During the initial application proceedings, the refugee authorities may inspect the asylum seeker and any items he or she may have brought into Hungary. 710 Subsequently, the asylum seeker must participate in an interview.711 During this preliminary evaluation, the OIN will consider whether Hungary is the 701 Grusa Matevsic, Legal Officer at the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, reviewed and contributed to this section. 702 UNHCR, “UNHCR Population Statistics - Persons of Concern Time Series” (last visited Aug. 24, 2014). 703 UNHCR, “UNHCR Population Statistics - Asylum Seekers Status Determination” (last visited Sept. 22, 2014). 704 UNHCR, “Hungary as a Country of Asylum,” April 2012, para. 23, http://www.refworld.org/ pdfid/4f9167db2.pdf. 705 State of Hungary, “2007. Évi LXXX. Törvény - a Menedékjogról [Hungary’s Asylum Act of 2007] (last Amended in 2014),” 2007, para. 37, http://net.jogtar.hu/jr/gen/hjegy_doc.cgi?docid=A0700080.TV. 706 Ibid., para. 48. 707 Ibid. 708 Ibid., para. 38. 709 Ibid., para. 39. 710 Ibid. 711 Ibid., para. 43. Survey of Protection at the National Level 145