The UN High Commissioner for Refugees disapproved of the appeals for large-scale expulsion of migrants from Bulgaria. The UNHCR announced on its web page that it is “concerned about calls for expulsion following tensions at overcrowded and substandard reception center for asylum-seekers in Harmanli”. The international institution urges the Bulgarian government to improve the living conditions at Harmnali reception center and establish a constructive dialogue with asylum-seekers staying in the center. UNHCR will continue to support the efforts of the authorities to improve conditions and to work with the migrants and the local authorities to diffuse any tensions. According to the Spokesperson of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees William Spindler, the UNHCR does not in principle object to the return of people who have not been granted international protection, but such returns should only take place if all procedural guarantees are fully respected, including access to a fair and efficient asylum procedure and to effective judicial review.
