UN urges Macedonia to restore order at border
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 21 August 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN urges Macedonia to restore order at border, 21 August 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee9701e.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 21, 2015
The United Nations has voiced concern after Macedonian riot police used force to disperse refugees and other migrants trying to enter from Greece.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres spoke by phone with Macedonian Foreign Minister Poposki on August 21.
Guterres told Poposki that Macedonia needed to establish "orderly management" of its borders and respect refugees.
Earlier on August 21, police used tear gas and stun guns to disperse people trying to cross the closed border.
Macedonia declared a state of emergency on August 20 in response to huge numbers of refugees and other migrants trying to enter the country.
Thousands of people spent the night in an area between the Greek and Macedonian borders after Macedonian police closed the border.
Macedonia is a major transit country for people leaving Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere with the goal of reaching the western part of the European Union.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
