UNHCR slams use of tear gas against refugees at Macedonia border

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."