Czech president: Migrant wave to Europe an 'organized invasion'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 December 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Czech president: Migrant wave to Europe an 'organized invasion', 27 December 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c42872c.html [accessed 21 May 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. |
December 27, 2015
Czech President Milos Zeman
Czech President Milos Zeman says the wave of refugees that has come to Europe this year is "an organized invasion" and that young Syrians and Iraqis should be fighting against the Islamic State (IS) group.
Zeman said in his televised Christmas message to Czechs on December 26 that he is "profoundly convinced" that the more than 1 million refugees who have fled to Europe in 2015 were organized and that it was "not a spontaneous movement of refugees."
He added that compassion is "possible" for old, sick, and youthful refugees but not for young men who, he said, should take up arms and fight Islamic militants.
"I wonder why these men are not taking up arms to go fight for the freedom of their countries against the Islamic State," said Zeman.
Zeman stirred controversy when he attended an anti-Islam rally in Prague in November.
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said Zeman's comments were based on "on prejudices and his habitual simplification of things."
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
