Beirut--Rights group Amnesty International on Monday slammed world leaders for "condemning millions of refugees to an unbearable existence" and demanded they work closely to resolve the "worst crisis" since World War II.
"From the Andaman to the Mediterranean people are losing their lives as they desperately seek safe haven," said Salil Shetty, Amnesty's secretary general, as the group published a report ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20.
"The current refugee crisis will not be solved unless the international community recognises that it is a global problem that requires states to significantly step up international cooperation," he added.
In its report, the London-based group urged the international community to establish a fund and to collectively commit to resettling a million refugees over the next four years.
"The refugee crisis is one of the defining challenges of the 21st century, but the response of the international community has been a shameful failure," said Shetty.
"We need a radical overhaul of policy and practice to create a coherent and comprehensive global strategy."
At a press conference Monday in Beirut, Shetty called on countries in Europe to stop turning back refugees arriving by boat from the Middle East and North Africa.
"This is not a favour, it is enshrined in international law," he said.
"The world cannot wait any longer."
AFP
