Slovakia criticized for taking in only Christian refugees

Slovakia is under fire for its preference to grant asylum to migrants who are Christian.

Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland says in a Thursday statement on Twitter: “Refusing refugees on the grounds of their religion is blatant discrimination,” adding “Slovakia should reverse its position.”

Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland in June blocked a European Union plan for member countries to take set numbers of refugees arriving in Italy and Greece. The four said they were ready to help but only on a voluntary basis.

Slovakia later announced it was ready to accept a hundred Christians from Syria and temporarily provide shelter for 500 migrants, also non-Christians, who have applied for asylum in Austria. Officials did not say whether the 500 could include non-Christians.

–AP