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1st LD Writethru: UN chief voices "serious concern" on border restrictions imposed by Balkan States on refugees

Xinhua, November 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday expressed his "serious concerns" on the recent border restrictions imposed by a number of States in the Balkans and called on all States in the region to "respond effectively to the mounting humanitarian challenges."

"The secretary-general calls on all States in the region to respond effectively to the mounting humanitarian challenges and to ensure that their policies on screening asylum seekers are in line with international refugee and human rights law," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. "Profiling asylum seekers on the basis of their alleged nationality infringes (on) the human right of all people to seek asylum, irrespective of their nationality and to have their individual cases heard."

Under restrictions imposed last week at borders between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and between the latter and Serbia, only Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis are being let through while others, including Iranians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis, are being blocked.

The secretary-general "urges European governments to significantly improve their capacities for reception and to speed up implementation of the relocation programmes for refugees," the statement said. "He recalls that collective expulsion and refoulement are strictly prohibited under international law."

Ban also reiterated his call on all States in the region to respond with compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility, noting the current situation highlights the urgent need for coordinated border management, according to the statement.

In 2015, nearly two million refugees and migrants have taken shelter in Turkey, and more than 700,000 in other countries of the region. Up to 5 percent of them need medical assistance for accidental injuries, hypothermia, burns, cardiovascular events, pregnancy- and delivery-related complications, diabetes and hypertension.

Mass population movements, water shortage and inadequate shelter and sanitation increase the risk of catching communicable diseases.

Earlier on Tuesday, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) warned of new humanitarian problems at crossings from Greece into the Balkans resulting from the profiling of people based on their alleged nationalities.

Last Friday, UNHCR joined the UN Children's Fund and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in issuing a joint statement warning of the dangers to blocked refugees and migrants as the bite of winter takes hold and calling on governments to provide more reception centers and decent accommodation.

About 150 people have returned voluntarily over the past 48 hours to the Greek capital of Athens where they are being advised that they can seek asylum. Near Greece's Edomani border point, UNHCR and partners have set up a transit center consisting of seven large heated tents where stranded people can stay for the night and receive a hot meal. Enditem