UN warns Europe against 'backtracking' on migrant commitments

news.yahoo.com ^ | November 17, 2015

[dennisw]

Geneva The United Nations on Tuesday urged states not to "backtrack" on pledges made to host migrants and refugees, including from Syria, in the wake of the attacks in Paris. Related Stories

Multiple UN agencies issued a warning to European leaders who might use the tragedy to advance anti-migrant policies, stressing that many of those seeking refuge in Europe have also been the victims of extremists.

Of the estimated 1.1 million migrants who have landed in Europe via the Mediterranean since 2013, less than six "have raised questions in terms of possible links to extremism," said International Organization for Migration spokesman Joel Millman.

Millman noted that the IOM, which received that information from individual governments, has no evidence that any those people were ever involved in acts of violence.

French sources have said that a passport found near the body of one of the Stade de France suicide bombers may have belonged to a Syrian -- possibly an ex-government soldier -- who registered on the Greek island of Leros on October 3.

Using that information as a pretext to curb migration by vulnerable people into Europe could prove disastrous, UN representatives said.

"We are concerned about the reactions from some states to end programmes being put in place, backtracking from commitments made to manage the refugee crisis," said UN refugee agency (UNHCR) spokeswoman Melissa Fleming.

"Refugees should not be turned into scapegoats and must not become the secondary victims of these most tragic events," Fleming added.

France's anti-immigration National Front leader Marine Le Pen called for an "immediate halt" to new arrivals, while Germany's xenophobic PEGIDA movement drew thousands to their latest anti-Islam rally.

Poland's new right-wing, eurosceptic government, which was sworn in Monday, signalled it would take a harder line on migrants, while honouring previously agreed EU commitments.

[SC_Pete]

Why doesn’t the United Nations force the Saudis, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai to take some of these “refugees”? Why only Western Nations? /Rhetorical question alert

[scooby321]

South Korea? Sense the Secretary General from there?

[SatinDoll]

Why does not the United Nations force the Saudis, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Dubai to take some of these refugees?

BECAUSE THE MUSLIMS CONTROL THE UN - THAT IS WHY!!

[Pollster1]

Everyone is missing the point that welcoming even well-meaning “migrants” makes things worse in Syria. If ISIS can take territory by default, that makes life easier for them. And if we’ll take Syria back for the “migrants” without them having to do the work, why would they take the risk?

[liberalism is suicide]

“The United Nations is our enemy.” Bingo— and always has been!

[DoughtyOne]

Agreed.

After the events in Paris on 11/13, I will be adding
this to my posts for the next week. I'm certain our
turn is coming again soon. We stand united against
Islamic extremists.

Some music for reflection if the mood strikes you.
Courtesy of: Kartographer
beautiful [02:23]

An honorable mention also goes out to Lassana Bathily , a Muslim immigrant from Mali.
Mr. Bathily sheltered customers at the Jewish Deli and helped police by providing info
on the terrorists, and providing the location of survivors in the deli.
Courtesy of: Tijera_Slim

[lacrew]

Rush’s assessment of the UN is spot on...the bar scene from Star Wars.

[PubliusMM]

Clearly, if the UN is in a position to threaten ANY manner of retaliation for ‘backtracking’ on refugee acceptance, then the UN has, VERY CLEARLY, over-reached its mandate.
Now, that’s now a new revelation, of course. But, it paints a stark and troubling picture.

Time to get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US.

[virgil]

Now they know how Israel feels.

[SC_Pete]

I said it was a rhetorical question! :)

[Mollypitcher1]

Wish it had been Bush bowing out.

[HotHunt]

"UN warns Europe..."

Wow, I bet France, Germany, Great Britain, etc. are all quaking in their boots over that wet-noodle threat. What's the UN going to do if they don't? Write them a letter chastising them?

The UN...what a joke.

[dennisw]

Time to get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US.

50 years ago the John Birch Society had billboards up saying this. They were right back then. Unfortunately I could not find any images of those old billboards.
Of course the JBS was called a bunch of cranks back then. And made fun of.

[Kudsman]

Sometimes cranking. Heck who doesn’t get so sometimes? Most days optimistic. Was when I supported JBS. Am still to this day. Just don’t stand much for anyone wanting to take my liberty to either on any given day.

[dennisw]

Cranks or just plain cranky? I know I am less cranky these days with Donald Trump doing so well.
JBS is still around (of course) but much smaller. Nothing like the well known organization of my youth.