UN rejects interference in asylum system and warns of consequences

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, warned against any attempts to reform the international refugee agreement and asylum rules.

During the annual meeting of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Geneva, he described such a move as a “catastrophic mistake” that could undermine the fundamental framework for protecting people fleeing war, persecution, or violence.

Grandi was responding in particular to plans by the US government under President Donald Trump, which, according to leaked documents, wants to push through a fundamental restriction of the right to asylum at the United Nations.

The changes could shake the system that emerged in response to the humanitarian tragedies of World War II and has since developed into a foundation of global solidarity.

According to Grandi, it is important that member states resist pressure to weaken international protection.

(reuters, lup)