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The UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi criticized the treatment of migrants by the EU. The challenges are no justification for xenophobia.
Brussels / Munich – The refugee situation on the Belarusian-Polish border is getting worse. Thousands of people are standing on the eastern external border of the EU * and trying to gain access.
In the midst of this dramatic situation, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, accused the European Union of violating the law in dealing with refugees.
Belarus: UNHCR Chairman Grandi describes reactions to refugees as “xenophobic discourse”
Allowing unprotected people to continue their dangerous journey is unacceptable, according to Grandi EU Parliament, but these challenges do not justify the “short-circuit reactions” of some states.
“With a view to the big picture in Europe”, Grandi spoke of an “irresponsible xenophobic discourse” and also mentioned border fences made of barbed wire, which are currently being used more and more on the border between Belarus * and Poland *.
The EU must set an example in dealing with migrants, says UNHCR chief
In some places you have seen “the violent pushbacks that include the beating of refugees and migrants,” said Grandi in his speech in the EU Parliament. Refugees and migrants are “sometimes stripped naked and thrown into rivers or left to drown in the sea”.
You have seen the “attempts to evade asylum obligations by paying other states to relieve you of responsibility.” An EU based on the rule of law “should and can be better”, criticized the UN High Commissioner in front of the MEPs.
In addition, the EU must continue to set an example for others with regard to rule of law issues, said Filippo Grandi. While many states continue to adhere to European and international law, the actions of some states cause “serious concern”.
UNHCR boss Grandi: EU must accept migrants at its border
For Grandi, the key to overcoming migration challenges lies in working together. “There is a way to manage the challenges, and not through rhetoric or demonizing the other, but through cooperation,” he emphasized before the EU Parliament.
According to Grandi, European peacekeeping should be used to ensure the protection of people in their own countries. Furthermore, in the countries where most of the refugees apply for asylum, one must work for better protection and, among other things, provide humanitarian aid.
But despite everything, people would continue to appear at the EU border and the EU must take them in, Grandi defended: “It is an obligation of the EU to receive people in need of protection in an effective and principled manner.”
This can be achieved through fair and fast asylum procedures, according to Grandi. “EU states must cooperate in order to distribute responsibility for people in need of protection within the Union,” emphasized the UNHCR chief. (bb with material from afp) * Merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
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