The UN exile agency, UNHCR, and migration bureau IOM, called connected Tuesday for an contiguous probe into the deaths of 4 people near the borderline betwixt Poland and Belarus, due to causes yet to beryllium determined.
In a joint statement, the agencies expressed their condolences to the families of the deceased, all of whose nationalities person yet to beryllium confirmed, though 2 of the victims were identified as Iraqi nationals who reportedly died of hypothermia.
EU-Belarus border crisis
In caller months, groups of asylum-seekers and migrants person been transiting done Belarus, to question asylum successful neighbouring EU Member States - Lithuania, Latvia and Poland.
Reports of cross-border pushbacks and deficiency of capable asylum entree for those seeking planetary protections, structure and assistance, have been relayed to UNHCR and IOM, who person been closely following the situation.
Noting that “groups of radical person go stranded for weeks, incapable to entree immoderate signifier of assistance, asylum oregon basal services”, the agencies said that galore had been left successful dire situations, exposed to the elements, and susceptible to deadly hypothermia. “Some were rescued from swamps”, the connection added.
Human rights protection
Recognizing the important challenges posed by irregular movements, both UN agencies called for the concern to beryllium managed successful accordance with States’ international ineligible obligations, adding that they should work collaboratively to resoluteness the situation, prioritising quality rights.
UNHCR and IOM called for contiguous entree to those affected, successful bid to supply lifesaving aesculapian help, food, h2o and shelter, particularly considering the approaching winter.
Noting that borderline absorption is simply a country’s sovereign prerogative, IOM and UNHCR called connected each States to uphold the regularisation of instrumentality astatine the borders and to respect the quality rights and freedoms of each migrants.
The connection added that UNHCR and IOM have been engaging with applicable authorities to research assorted options for the radical who proceed to beryllium stranded astatine borders; from entree to asylum, household reunification procedures, and voluntary instrumentality for those recovered not to beryllium successful request of planetary protection.
IOM and UNHCR concluded by saying that asylum-seekers and migrants should ne'er beryllium utilized by States as governmental pawns.
Many news outlets in caller days have highlighted the view wrong the European Union, that Belarusian authorities person been orchestrating the influx of asylum-seekers from the Middle East and Asia, successful retaliation for sanctions against the hard-line Government successful Belarus, which has led a convulsive crackdown against the pro-democracy movement determination since disputed elections past year.
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