UN chief voices concern over Europe's refugee policies

VIENNA

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday voiced concern over the restrictive refugee policies adopted by some European countries.

In his speech at the Austrian parliament in Vienna, Ban said: "I am concerned that European countries are now adopting increasingly restrictive immigration and refugee policies."

Ban's remarks came a day after the Austrian parliament passed an anti-refugee law that empowers local police to arrest and deport refugees.

The new law also enables the Austrian government to declare a state of emergency if refugees threaten public order or overwhelm public institutions.

"Such policies and measures negatively affect the obligation of member states under international humanitarian law and European law," the secretary-general added.

He urged European leaders to abide by principles in the face of growing xenophobia. "Divisiveness and marginalization hurt individuals and undermine security," he added.

In 2015, Vienna took 88,000 asylum seekers' applications and said it would accept up to 37,500 people for 2016 and allow entrance of 80 asylum seekers per day.

VIENNA

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday voiced concern over the restrictive refugee policies adopted by some European countries.

In his speech at the Austrian parliament in Vienna, Ban said: "I am concerned that European countries are now adopting increasingly restrictive immigration and refugee policies."

Ban's remarks came a day after the Austrian parliament passed an anti-refugee law that empowers local police to arrest and deport refugees.

The new law also enables the Austrian government to declare a state of emergency if refugees threaten public order or overwhelm public institutions.

"Such policies and measures negatively affect the obligation of member states under international humanitarian law and European law," the secretary-general added.

He urged European leaders to abide by principles in the face of growing xenophobia. "Divisiveness and marginalization hurt individuals and undermine security," he added.

In 2015, Vienna took 88,000 asylum seekers' applications and said it would accept up to 37,500 people for 2016 and allow entrance of 80 asylum seekers per day.