VIENNA (AP) – U.N. Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon on Thursday criticized increasing restrictions on safe have for refugees in Europe, saying they “negatively impact” commitments to international law.
Ban did not name any country in his speech to Austria’s lower house of parliament. But considering the venue, his comments appeared to allude at least in part to ongoing Austrian moves to tighten and reduce the entry of migrants.
The upper house is scheduled later in the day to vote into effect a law that would allow authorities to stop accepting asylum requests at borders in case they decide such a move is necessary to “maintain public order and … protect internal security.” Asylum seekers would instead be turned back.
The draft law also mandates “temporary asylum” for all migrants who have applied for such status since Nov.15. They would have to leave Austria after three years if authorities determine that their home country is once again safe. If not, their status would be indefinitely extended.
The proposed legislation also makes it more difficult for family members to join those granted asylum.