UN secretary-general expresses concern over tougher refugee policies in EU states

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday showed his concern over the increasingly restrictive refugee policies in the European Union when he gave a speech to Austrian parliament.

Ban Ki-moon's concern arose after a series of anti-refugee movements in EU member states. The speech came a day after the Austrian National Council passed a tougher legislative asylum package.

The bill authorizes the government to declare a "state of emergency" if the number of migrants suddenly rises and reject asylum claims at the border within an hour.

"I am concerned that European countries are now adopting increasingly restrictive immigration and refugee policies. Such policies negatively affect the obligation of member states under international humanitarian law and European law," he said.

Austria is also planning to construct a 370-meter fence at Brenner Pass on its shared border with Italy as part of border controls related to the refugee crisis.

Austrian anti-migrant far-right Freedom Party (FPO) on Sunday won an unprecedented victory in the first round of presidential elections. It is the first time since 1945 Austria has not elected a president backed by either Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann's SPO party or their center-right coalition partners, OVP.

Former Austrian vice chancellor Michael Spindelegger, who also served as the former OVP leader, believes the refugee crisis is linked with the current rise of the right-wing party.

Under pressure from Austrians tired of an "open door" refugee policy, the current ruling coalition seems to be introducing tougher policies to gain public support. Endit