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UN: Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ could breach international law

March 8, 2017 at 12:43 pm

Activists stage a rally against President Donald Trump’s 90-days ban of entry on 7 Muslim-majority countries in San Francisco, US on January 28, 2017 [Tayfun Coşkun – Anadolu Agency]

US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies could lead to collective expulsions of migrants which would a breach international law, the United Nations human rights chief said today.

Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced concern at the new US policy banning entry of people from six Muslim-majority countries for 90 days which was announced on Monday after Trump’s controversial first attempt was blocked in the courts.

In an annual speech to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva he said:

“Vilification of entire groups such as Mexicans and Muslims, and false claims that migrants commit more crimes than US citizens, are harmful and fuel xenophobic abuses.”

He also voiced dismay at “attempts by the president to intimidate or undermine journalists and judges”.

The revised policies would greatly increase the number of migrants at immediate risk of deportation, regardless of the number of years spent in the United States or family roots, Al-Hussein said.

Image of Zeid Ra'ad Al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [United States Mission Geneva/Flickr]

Image of Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [United States Mission Geneva/Flickr]

“Expedited deportations could amount to collective expulsions and refoulement, in breach of international law, if undertaken without due process guarantees, including individual assessment,” Al-Hussein said, referring to the UN Refugee Convention that prohibits sending back people who are fleeing war, violence or persecution.

He stressed the need for greater leadership to address a surge in discrimination, anti-Semitism and violence against ethnic and religious minorities in the United States.