Czech PM under fire over refusal to take in Syrian orphans

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis has come under fire on the domestic scene for refusing to take in a group of 50 Syrian orphans. Babis told the daily Pravo in an interview published on Saturday (Sep. 15) he saw no reason why the country should help Syrian orphans when it had orphans of its own to look after, Czech Radio reported.

He said the Czech Republic was showing sufficient solidarity with the countries of migrant origin by sending them money, doctors and experts. 

Acting foreign minister Jan Hamacek of the Social Democrats countered that a country of 10 million could surely be able to cope with 50 Syrian orphans. 

Opposition politicians from TOP 09, the Christian Democratic Party and Mayors and Independents said the prime minister’s statement was shameful and inhumane.