SOFIA (AA) - The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muizniesk warned Bulgaria against closing its borders with fences, saying it would not be a "good idea."
Fencing against refugees or suspected illegal immigrants would not be appropriate with Bulgaria's obligations according to its commitments to the EU, Muizniesk told BNT television during an interview.
"In its policy towards refugees, Bulgaria must not forget its international obligations under signed conventions. The country cannot close its borders with Turkey, or any other neighbor," Muizniesk said.
He urged Bulgarian authorities to find wiser solutions by saying, "Fences are ineffective and too expensive. People will find ways to get around them, and this will be even more dangerous. Instead it would be much wiser to use the money to improve conditions in reception centers and integration policies."
The Bulgarian wire fence, which aims to prevent illegal entrances along its Turkish border, will reportedly be completed at the end of February 2014.
The Bulgarian government, besides fencing the borders, has also decided to keep close watch on refugees or suspected illegals in the country in closed accommodation centers.
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