The United Nations Security Council has made veiled criticism of countries like Australia for imposing “acts of discrimination” against people from Ebola-affected West Africa.
Last month, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia had closed its doors to people from the region because of concerns about the deadly virus.
The UN Security Council, which is currently chaired by Australia, said it recognises the need for “appropriate screening measures” to stop the spread of Ebola.
But it has urged all countries to maintain “trade and transport” links to West Africa.
“The Security Council expresses its continued concern about the detrimental effect of the isolation of the affected countries as a result of trade and travel restrictions imposed on and to the affected countries,” the council said in a statement read out by Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
It also expressed concern at “acts of discrimination against the nationals of Guinea, Liberia, Mali and Sierra Leone”.
The Australian Government has said its focus is on stopping the virus from spreading to its shores, through tighter health checks at airports and stronger border controls.
“These measures include temporarily suspending our immigration program, including our humanitarian program,” Mr Morrison told Parliament in October.
“This means we are not processing any application from these affected countries.”
The World Health Organisation estimates the death toll from the virus in West Africa is nearing 5,500 people.
The UN’s special envoy on Ebola David Nabarro told the Security Council meeting more resources are needed to fight the deadly virus.
“The longer the Ebola outbreak continues, the greater the impact on the affected countries and the greater the chance of it spreading to other nations,” he said.
“And this does mean a continued urgent response from the international community.”