Lagos – The United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki Moon, has advised European countries against increasing borders in Balkan and Austria to migrants and refugees moving toward Europe.
Ban said in statement issued by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, that it was imperative for all European countries to keep their frontiers open to the migrants and refugees.
“UN secretary-general has voiced concern about increasing border restrictions in the Balkans and Austria for migrants and refugees streaming toward Europe
“All countries should keep their borders open, and act in a spirit of responsibility sharing and solidarity, including through expanding legal pathways to access asylum,’’ it said.
According to the statement, Turkey is currently hosting more than 2.6 million refugees and asylum seekers.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
It also said that seven European states have restored border controls within the Schengen passport-free zone, while others had said that they would unilaterally tighten border controls.
The statement said that the restrictions were not in line with the UN 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
It said that there were also currently restrictions of refugees in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia. (NAN)
