[JURIST] UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein [official profile] on Friday urged the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to end its pattern of expelling and detaining migrants contrary to international standards. Numerous Central European countries have recently closed their borders [UN report] to fight the influx of migrants, and many migrant families have found themselves either trapped in Macedonian transit centers or forced into neighboring countries as a result. Zeid strongly denounced the treatment of such families, stressing that all migrants deserve not only adequate living requirements but also opportunity for employment and education. Zeid also expressed concern over the country’s Asylum Law [text, PDF], which significantly hinders the ability for migrants to be granted legal asylum upon request. Reportedly 600 migrants have sought legal asylum since 2015 yet only five have actually succeeded. Zeid called on Macedonia and neighboring countries to address the ongoing suffering and mistreatment of all migrant families and abide by international law.

The rights of migrant populations has emerged as one of the most significant humanitarian issues around the world, as millions seek asylum from conflict nations. Earlier this week a senior UN official unveiled [JURIST report] a draft set of principles aimed at continuing momentum toward the protection of human rights of refugees and migrants. Ahead of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants this week, UN experts urged [JURIST report] states to protect women and girls in the movement of refugees and migrants by adhering to international human rights conventions and standards. Last week Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International [advocacy websites] said that the draft of the final outcome document for the UN summit on refugees fell short of dealing with the issue effectively [JURIST report]. According to the rights groups, the UN is missing an opportunity by not proposing anything of substance. Austrian Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said [JURIST report] earlier this month that Austria will take Hungary to the International Court of Justice if Hungary does not begin accepting returning migrants that crossed into Austria from Hungary. Last month Zeid expressed concern [JURIST report] over Bulgaria’s criminalization of migrants leaving and entering the country.