GETTY Slovenia's PM received a letter from EU bigwig Jagland warning him about proposed migration rules

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Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, told Slovenian government officials they need to “amend their approaches” after new plans were approved to try to manage the country’s growing migrant population. In a letter to Slovenia’s prime minister Miro Cerar, Ragland wrote: “I am concerned by amendments… proposed by your government which, if adopted, will change the conditions of entry and expulsion of migrants and asylum seekers into Slovenia, raising a number of issues under European Convention on Human Rights.”

He urged the country to ensure national reforms “uphold important human rights guarantees”, although he conceded it was “understandable” that ministers want to adopt a new approach to dealing with the influx of asylum seekers. Last week, the Slovenian government approved amendments to asylum laws that would help the country regain some control of their borders.

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If introduced, authorities would be given powers to turn down asylum applicants at the border in exceptional circumstances. They would also be able to automatically expel migrants and refugees who entered the country illegally.

GETTY Council of Europe chief Thorbjørn Jagland met with Russian leader Putin last month

I am concerned by amendments… proposed by your government which, if adopted, will change the conditions of entry and expulsion of migrants and asylum seekers into Slovenia, raising a number of issues under European Convention on Human Rights Thorbjørn Jagland to Miror Cerar

This would only be activated if it was thought that illegal immigration was posing a threat to public order or national security, and would only last for a period of six months. Interior Minister Vesna Györkös Žnidar described the measures as “necessary and proportionate”, but the proposals have been criticised by organisations including the Red Cross, Amnesty International and Unicef, who claims the changes would deny refugees the right to protection which is guaranteed under international and EU law. Immigration controls have become a key issue for a number of EU states ahead of major elections later this year, including France and Germany.