The coronavirus pandemic has deepened the plight of people fleeing war, conflict and persecution. As countries battle to protect their populations and economies, fundamental norms of refugee and human rights law are at risk. “The core principles of refugee protection are being put to test – but peo...

GENEVA, Sept 18 (UNHCR) – Following yesterday's mayhem on the Serbian border with Croatia, which has closed some entry points, the UN refugee agency today issued a stark warning that time was running out for Europe to resolve the current refugee crisis. UNHCR blamed the continuing absence of a co...

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 8 September 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Deteriorating conditions inside Syria and neighbouring countries are driving thousands of Syrians to ...

The recent successive announcements of different border control measures by a number of European countries impacted by the refugee and migration crisis only underlines the urgency of establishing a comprehensive European response. This response must be based on the creation of effective reception...

GENEVA, Sept 4, (UNHCR) – The head of the UN refugee agency António Guterres, emphasizing the European Union faced a "defining moment", has laid out a set of key guidelines which he says should underpin all efforts to resolve the current refugee and migration crisis facing Europe. Guterres said t...

GENEVA, Aug 28 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the grim discovery yesterday of the bodies of 71 people inside a truck abandoned near the Austrian border with Hungary. "This tragedy underscores the ruthlessness of people smugglers who have expanded thei...

GENEVA, Sept 24, (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency today welcomed a decision by European Union leaders to boost resources for humanitarian assistance to countries neighbouring war-torn Syria. UNHCR, in a statement issued after the European Council decision, also welcomed a parallel decision to relo...

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 28 August 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The number of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean this year has now exceeded 300,000, inc...

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 25 August 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. In Serbia, UNHCR and the Serb authorities are working to respond to the humanitarian needs of the more...

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 26 June 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. UNHCR notes last night's decision of the European Council to relocate 40,000 people in need of internatio...