UN chief censures EU’s ‘restrictive’ refugee policies

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has censured “increasingly restrictive” policies against refugees arriving in Europe.

“I am concerned that European countries are now adopting increasingly-restrictive immigration and refugee policies,” Ban told in a speech to the Austrian parliament on Thursday.

Pointing to rising anti-refugee sentiments in Europe, Ban also said he was “alarmed by the growing xenophobia” across the continent.

“Such policies negatively affect the obligation of member states under international humanitarian law and European law.”

His remarks came a day after the Austrian parliament approved one of Europe’s toughest asylum laws.

The controversial law allows the government to declare a “state of emergency” if the number of asylum seekers suddenly rise, and reject most refugees, including those from war-hit countries like Syria.

SS