Don't adopt 'cruel' refugee laws

Amnesty International has urged Denmark's parliament to reject proposed changes to the country's laws on refugees that it says would "have a devastating impact on vulnerable people" and may violate international human rights laws.

In a statement yesterday, the UK-based rights group said the reforms would see the Danish government seize assets of refugees and preclude them from reuniting with their family members for years.

Danish MPs are set to vote on proposed amendments to the Aliens Act on Thursday. If approved, a final vote on January 26 would determine whether they become law.

The amendments include one that would force refugees - who have fled war - to wait three years before being eligible to apply to reunite with relatives who are in conflict-ridden countries or refugee camps.

The legislation that has fuelled the most controversy proposes that Danish authorities seize asylum seekers' cash exceeding $1450, as well as any individual items valued at more than that amount.

Some 2,000 migrants began crossing into Macedonia yesterday in freezing temperatures as the country conditionally reopened its border with Greece after closing it temporarily.

After the border closure on Wednesday, leading children's charities have warned that young refugees were at serious risk from the bitterly cold Balkan weather.