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Migrants crisis: Slovakia 'will only accept Christians' | Migrants crisis: Slovakia 'will only accept Christians' |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Slovakia says it will only accept Christians when it takes in Syrian refugees under a EU relocation scheme. | Slovakia says it will only accept Christians when it takes in Syrian refugees under a EU relocation scheme. |
The country is due to receive 200 people from camps in Turkey, Italy and Greece under the EU plan to resettle 40,000 new arrivals. | The country is due to receive 200 people from camps in Turkey, Italy and Greece under the EU plan to resettle 40,000 new arrivals. |
Interior ministry spokesman Ivan Netik said Muslims would not be accepted because they would not feel at home. | |
The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) called on countries to take an "inclusive approach" to relocation. | The UN's refugee agency (UNHCR) called on countries to take an "inclusive approach" to relocation. |
But Mr Netik denied the move was discriminatory and said it was intended to ensure community cohesion. | |
'Not going to like it' | 'Not going to like it' |
The number of migrants at the EU's borders has surged in recent months, reaching a record high of 107,500 in July. Most are Syrians, Afghans, and sub-Saharan Africans, fleeing instability or poverty. | The number of migrants at the EU's borders has surged in recent months, reaching a record high of 107,500 in July. Most are Syrians, Afghans, and sub-Saharan Africans, fleeing instability or poverty. |
Last month, EU member states agreed to take in 32,000 asylum seekers arriving in Italy and Greece over the next two years - fewer than the 40,000 target. | Last month, EU member states agreed to take in 32,000 asylum seekers arriving in Italy and Greece over the next two years - fewer than the 40,000 target. |
The scheme was made voluntary after some nations - including Slovakia - refused to accept set quotas. | The scheme was made voluntary after some nations - including Slovakia - refused to accept set quotas. |
Mr Netik told the BBC: "We want to really help Europe with this migration wave but... we are only a transit country and the people don't want to stay in Slovakia. | |
"We could take 800 Muslims but we don't have any mosques in Slovakia so how can Muslims be integrated if they are not going to like it here?" | "We could take 800 Muslims but we don't have any mosques in Slovakia so how can Muslims be integrated if they are not going to like it here?" |
EU Commission spokeswoman Annika Breithard said she could not comment directly on the Slovak statement, but stressed that EU states were banned from any form of discrimination. | EU Commission spokeswoman Annika Breithard said she could not comment directly on the Slovak statement, but stressed that EU states were banned from any form of discrimination. |
Meanwhile Babar Baloch, Central Europe spokesman for the UNHCR, said: "Resettlement is greatly needed for many refugees who are at extreme risk among the world's most vulnerable groups. | Meanwhile Babar Baloch, Central Europe spokesman for the UNHCR, said: "Resettlement is greatly needed for many refugees who are at extreme risk among the world's most vulnerable groups. |
"We encourage governments to take an inclusive approach while considering refugees for resettlement and should not base their selection on discrimination." | "We encourage governments to take an inclusive approach while considering refugees for resettlement and should not base their selection on discrimination." |
More than 240,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean already this year, arriving on the shores of Greece and Italy before travelling on to other destinations. | More than 240,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean already this year, arriving on the shores of Greece and Italy before travelling on to other destinations. |
Germany, the biggest recipient of asylum-seekers in the EU, has said it could receive as many as 800,000 applicants this year. | Germany, the biggest recipient of asylum-seekers in the EU, has said it could receive as many as 800,000 applicants this year. |
The numbers are far higher than the record 438,000 asylum applications in 1992 during the Bosnian crisis. | The numbers are far higher than the record 438,000 asylum applications in 1992 during the Bosnian crisis. |
Both the EU and the UN have called on other countries to share the burden. | Both the EU and the UN have called on other countries to share the burden. |
But EU leaders face a public backlash amid tensions over immigration. | But EU leaders face a public backlash amid tensions over immigration. |
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