Worrying ‘climate of xenophobia’ in Europe — UN refugee chief

The UN’s refugee chief says a worrying “climate of xenophobia” has taken hold in Europe as the continent struggles with the biggest influx of migrants since World War II.

Speaking to AFP in Tehran at the start of a regional tour, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi says European leaders needed to do more to coordinate migration policies and to combat negative stereotypes about refugees.

“Refugees… don’t bring danger to us, they flee from dangerous places,” says Grandi, who took office in January.

National leaders need to better explain that immigration “in fact contributes to the development of societies,” he says.

“Those who do the opposite, who stir up public opinion against refugees and migrants, have a responsibility in creating a climate of xenophobia that is very worrying in today’s Europe,” he says.

“It provides a negative example to countries further away.”

— AFP