News / EU

Europe populist leaders urge halt to refugee influx

Monday, 16 November 2015 7:03 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 16 November 2015 7:03 PM ]

A woman carries her child as she walks along with other refugees after crossing the Greek-Macedonian border near Gevgelija on November 16, 2015.

Europe’s populist leaders have called for an end to a flow of refugees from the Middle East and Africa following a recent wave of terror attacks in Paris, claiming extremists could enter Europe among the masses.

The leader of France’s far-right National Front party, Marine Le Pen, said on Monday that the intake of refugees into France should be immediately halted.

Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who was already skeptical of accepting refugees, told the parliament in the capital that "terrorists have exploited mass migration by mingling in the mass of people leaving their homes in the hope of a better life."

"We don't think that everyone is a terrorist, but no one can say how many terrorists have arrived already, how many are coming day by day," he added.

Hungary has already built razor-wire fences to stop the influx of refugees into the country.

Refugees arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on November 16, 2015. (AFP photo)

The responses came after a Syrian passport was discovered near the body of one of the bombers of Friday’s attacks in Paris. The bomber reportedly arrived in Greece in October as a refugee.

At least 132 people were killed and 350 others injured after assailants struck several different venues in Paris. The Daesh Takfiri group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

On Saturday, Slovakia Prime Minister Robert Fico said “We have been saying that there are enormous security risks linked to migration. Hopefully, some people will open their eyes now.”

Refugees are helped ashore as they arrive on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey on November 16, 2015. (AFP photo)

Poland's European Affairs Minister Konrad Szymanski also said that Europe should revise its policy towards refuges. He added “we'll accept (refugees only) if we have security guarantees. This is a key condition, and today a question mark has been put next to it all around Europe.”

According to the latest figures released by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 798,792 refugees have reached Europe’s shores so far this year while a total of 3,455 people have either died or gone missing in their perilous journey to the continent.

The calls for curbing the influx of refugees come as many European countries have had pivotal role in supporting militant groups fighting the Syrian government forces. Majority of the refugees heading towards Europe come from Syria.

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