UNHCR slams use of tear gas against refugees at Macedonia borderApril 11, 2016 - 19:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The UNHCR has condemned the actions of Macedonian police, who reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets at crowds on Greece's side of the border Sunday, April 11, DW reports. Up to 12,000 refugees have slept in huts or in the open at the Idomeni crossing since February, when several Balkan nations shut their borders to them and cut off their route northward into Europe. "Time and again in recent months, we have seen tension unfolding at various European borders, between security forces on the one hand and people fleeing war and in need of help on the other," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards said Monday. "Harm is done to perceptions of refugees and to Europe's image alike," he added. "Everyone loses." On Sunday, DW reported tear gas clouds spreading through the camp housing refugees and neighboring village. The Macedonian police deployed the tear gas for over two hours and even threw stones and later fired water cannons and rubber bullets as people fainted and volunteers and activists rushed to get them out of the conflict zone and provide first aid. By early evening, Doctors Without Borders had reported treating at least 300 people for tear gas and trauma. On Monday, Greece's government announced that it had lodged two "very strong protests" with Macedonia. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras added his own outrage over Macedonia's response to "people who did not constitute a threat and were not armed," calling it "a great shame for European society and a country that wants to be a part of it." Photo: Reuters Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Armenian PM’s helicopter makes emergency landing in Vanadzor The helicopter transporting Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made an emergency landing in Vanadzor. |