Antonio Guterres: UN refugee chief says to reject Muslim Syrian refugees is to ‘support’ Isis

'We have refugee movements because of tyranny, of conflict and of terrorism,' Antonio Guterres says

Antonio Guterres gives a press conference during the EU-Balkans mini European Summit (Getty)

Countries that reject Syrian refugees because of their Muslim beliefs are fuelling Isis and other militant groups, UN refugee chief Antonio Guterres has said.

He told a news conference that such actions contributed to the threat of terrorism.

“When people say they cannot receive Syrian refugees because they are Muslims, those that say it are supporting terrorist organisations and allowing them to be much more effective in recruitment of people," he said.

In a separate interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Guterres emphasised refugee movements "not the cause of terrorism”.

“On the contrary, we have refugee movements because of tyranny, of conflict and of terrorism,” he said.

Mr Guterres warned then that rejecting Muslim refugees would give Isis “a fantastic argument” and they would exploit “Western fears” to fuel their propaganda and take advantage of isolated Muslims.

Mr Guterres has been the UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 2005. He was previously the prime minister of Portugal for six years.

Additional reporting by Reuters