UNHCR Urges Bulgaria to Investigate Refugee Deaths at Border with Turkey

UNHCR expressed on Tuesday its concern on the prevention of refugees from entering the EU and called on Bulgaria to investigate the deaths of two Iraqis at the border with Turkey.

This was announced by William Spindler, a spokesman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) at a news briefing on Tuesday.

Spindler expressed the UN's disappointment that these people, who often used dangerous routes and smugglers to enter the EU, were turned away often with violence at the borders of the EU.

The UN official called on member states, which were at the external borders of the EU, such as Bulgaria, to take measures to limit these practices.

Spindler also urged the relevant authorities to conduct independent and transparent investigations into alleged abuses and illegal practices.

The UNHCR was informed of a recent incident involving twelve Iraqis of the Yazidi community, who were stopped by Bulgarian border guards when they attempted to enter the country through Turkey.

According to reports, the group of refugees dispersed after the belongings of the Iraqis were seized and they were badly beaten.

Two of the men, who suffered severe injuries, later died of hypothermia on the Turkish side of the border, while a third man was taken to a hospital in the Turkish city of Edirne.

Spindler called on both Bulgarian and Turkish authorities to investigate the incident and establish the causes of death of the two Iraqis.

The UN stated that there were multiple reports of refugees, who were denied entry or “pushed back” by Bulgarian border guards.

The UNHCR noted that “push-backs” are not compatible with Bulgarian obligations to admit asylum-seekers to its territory.

Other incidents of violence and cases when money and property were confiscated by border police were also reported.

Bulgaria is planning to extend the already existing 33-kilometre fence at its border with Turkey, which has significantly decreased the number of refugees illegally entering the country.

Human Rights Watch, which last year reported 44 incidents involving at least 519 people being returned by Bulgarian border guards, has expressed a similar concern over the latest incident.

Human Rights Watch notes that through such practices Bulgaria is violating EU and international law by denying people with asylum.

The NGO calls on the EU to hold its member states accountable and ensure that Bulgaria investigates alleged abuses.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!