UNHCR criticizes Greek draft law on asylum seekers

The U.N. refugee agency on Thursday criticized draft legislation that it said could compromise the fair examination of asylum applications in Greece.

A UNHCR statement said the proposed abolition of an appeals board for migrants whose applications are rejected "would deprive asylum seekers of access to an effective remedy as required by EU law."

The U.N. agency also said the draft presidential decree, which reorganizes Greece's asylum processing system, would provide no guarantee non-police bodies will have an effective role in the process.

Greek officials were not immediately available for comment.

UNHCR spokeswoman Ketty …