The UNHCR doesn’t condone the closing of the borders by any country in the world, but at this point doesn’t not have information that the border has been officially closed, and we are waiting for a response of the authorities- commented for Meta Aleksandra Kraus, deputy representative of UNHCR in Macedonia.
Kraus says they don’t know the consequences of the government’s decision and the lining of army forces along the border.
-The situation in Gevgelija is quiet and still. During the day around 250-300 migrants arrived at the train station, most of which left on the next train, after receiving transit papers. There are 40-50 migrants at the stations who are going to leave with the next train. This suggest that the border is not fully shut and that migrants find ways how to cross- says Kraus.
The representative of UNHCR doesn’t have information that the police used stun grenades and tear gas to pacify the migrants.
-I don’t have such information. I wasn’t at the border today. I am at the trains tation and none of the migrants said anything like that- said Kraus.
The UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming criticized the decision of the Macedonian government to close the south border and stop the flow of migrants from Greece.
-These are refugees who are seeking protection and they must not be prevented from getting it- said Fleming and called on Europe to find a solution and help Macedonia and Serbia who are burdened and “cannot be left alone with such a number of migrants.”
Fleming said she was “deeply concerned” about the destiny of the migrants who are stuck in the zone between the Greek and Macedonian borders. She called for patient and urgent help to be sent.
