LOC17:38
14:38 GMT
BRUSSELS, Nov 19 (KUNA) -- The European Union Tuesday criticized the
push-back of Syrian refugees by Bulgaria and Greece, saying it is in violation
of EU and international laws.
"Push backs are simply not allowed. They are not in line with EUs
international obligations. So member states cannot, and shall not and should
not carry out any push back. This is against international rules," an EU
spokesman for home affairs, Michele Cercone, told journalists in Brussels.
"Nobody arriving in the EU territory asking for asylum can be pushed back
or can be denied this possibility," he stressed.
The UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, last week called on Greece and Bulgaria to
stop turning back Syrian refugees after reports that hundreds of them were
turned back by the two EU member states recently. (end)
nk.mt
KUNA 191738 Nov 13NNNN