EU risks compromising values with Turkey deal: UN’s HR chief

The United Nations (UN)’s human rights chief has slammed the European Union (EU) for potentially compromising its human rights principles by demanding that Turkey take back refugees reaching Europe from its shores.

According to Press TV, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Tuesday that the demand by the EU, which is being pushed in a deal with Turkey, restricts the Geneva Convention rights for refugees to Europeans only.

“We believe that Turkey should lift all restrictions on Geneva,” Zeid said, referring to the Geneva Convention.

The EU is pushing for an initial accord with Ankara this week to begin taking back refugees that have reached Europe via Turkey.

“The risk is that if, for the sake of expediency, the EU defaults on its human rights obligations, then the reputation as being one of the principle standard-bearers upholding human rights around the world would be affected,” Zeid said.

“If the EU is perceived to cut corners when it comes to international law and European standards, it can have a knock-on effect on other parts of the world,” he warned.

Zeid further said that for any agreement to be in line with international law, it has to ensure that each case is individually evaluated. He also warned that pushing for asylum processing centers offshore could result in them becoming “centers of abuse.”

ME