An Iranian migrant sews his mouth shut in protest in Macedonia.
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According to the BBC, the protests stem from a decision by Balkan countries to let in refugees only from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, a move that came in the wake of the Paris terror attacks earlier this month.
Groups of people have been seen trying to warm up around bonfires on a cold night on the Greek side of the border.
Scores of migrants are stuck on the Greece-Macedonia border after they were not allowed to continue their journey.
“To any free country in the world”, said the engineer, Hamid, when asked where he wanted to go by reporters. “I am going to be hanged”. One slogan said: “Shoot us, we never go back”. The man cannot go back.
“Growing frustrations have led to protests among hundreds of people, mainly Iranians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis”, he said. Other European countries quickly followed suit, leading to crowds of stranded refugees at border crossings.
It’s emerged that two suicide bombers involved in the strikes took the same trail, then traveling north across the Balkans and arriving by boat in Greece.
The United Nations chief called on all countries in the region “to respond with compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility” to the mounting humanitarian challenge – and to ensure that their policies on screening asylum seekers adhere to worldwide refugee and human rights law, his spokesman said Tuesday. Eastern European leaders say it’s an issue of economics, while others say the anti-migrant rhetoric it’s fueled by Islamophobia.
Syrian, Iraqi and Afghan refugees are allowed through. The new border policies, which prohibit the movement of migrants who are not from Syria, Afghanistan, or Iraq across Balkan borders, have incensed refugees and asylum seekers from Morocco, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, among other countries, who found themselves trapped between nations.
He urged countries to ensure their border practices were in line with global laws on refugees and human rights.
“As we head into winter, stabilization and proper and comprehensive management of Europe’s refugee and migrant situation remains urgently needed”, Edwards said.
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Like many here, Laj was aware of tightened security across Europe since the attacks in Paris.
