UN slams Trump's immigration slur: 'Use facts not prejudice'

American president Donald Trump has caused international anger after he asked why the US would accept immigrants from "sh*thole countries".

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

13 January, 2018

Trump questioned why the US would accept more immigrants from "sh*thole countries" in Africa [Getty]

A senior European Union lawmaker said President Donald Trump "has forgotten to engage his brain before talking" about immigrants and is not fit for office.

Socialist group President Gianni Pittella says that after insulting Mexicans and Muslims "now it is Haiti, El Salvador and African people being targeted by the US president's delirious and racist words".

Trump on Thursday questioned why the US would accept more immigrants from Haiti and "sh*thole countries" in Africa. He denied Friday that he used the vulgar expression, saying "this was not the language used".

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric responded on Friday to questions seeking the UN chief's reaction, and said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has repeatedly said that "the dignity, equality and human rights of refugees and migrants has to be respected everywhere".

Dujarric referred reporters to Guterres' speech on Thursday on migration, in which Guterres urged all countries to focus on the overwhelmingly positive contributions of migrants and use "facts not prejudice".

The UN chief warned that authorities who place obstacles "inflict needless economic self-harm" and "unintentionally encourage illegal migration".

The message appeared clearly aimed at European countries, the United States and other nations that restricted migration.