United Nations: Refugees shouldn’t be demonised over attacks

The United Nations urged European countries on Tuesday not to react to Friday’s attacks in Paris by rejecting or blaming refugees, the vast majority of whom were fleeing persecution or conflict.

“We are concerned about reactions by some states to end the programmes being put in place, backtracking from commitments made to manage the refugee crisis (i.e. relocation), or proposing the erection of more barriers,” UNHCR’s chief spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said. “We are deeply disturbed by language that demonises refugees as a group. This is dangerous as it will contribute to xenophobia and fear.”

She said UNHCR was deeply concerned by the “yet unconfirmed” report that one of the attackers in the Paris attack may have entered Europe as part of the influx of refugees. The best response would be to immediately improve arrival processing in Greece and Italy and implement the European Union’s plan to relocate 160,000 refugees.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday vowed to stick to a plan to take in 25,000 Syrian refugees by January 1, even though a growing number of critics say the target is too large and could threaten security following the attacks in Paris.

The affair is threatening to become the first real political challenge for Mr Trudeau’s fledgling Liberal government, which took power earlier this month after winning an October 19 election.

“My commitment was to bring in 25,000 refugees by Jan 1 in complete security and we will make every effort to achieve that,” Mr Trudeau told reporters.