GENEVA: The UN refugee agency censured Denmark on Thursday for measures that were an “affront” to refugees’ dignity as its new head urged Europe not to throw up barriers to block a tide of asylum-seekers.

The UNHCR criticized Danish government proposals, which would make reunification of refugee families and acquisition of refugee status more difficult.

In a document sent to the Danish government it zeroed in on a measure allowing police to confiscate asylum seekers’ belongings worth more than $436 to help pay for their stay which it described as “a deeply concerning response to humanitarian needs” and “an affront to their dignity”.

Filippo Grandi, an Italian diplomat who took over as UN High Commissioner for Refugees this week, separately told a news briefing that Europe must set an example by welcoming refugees and not erecting barriers, while sharing the burden fairly across the continent.

He singled out Germany, Turkey and Lebanon for praise for giving asylum to huge numbers of Syrians and other refugees.

More than a million people fleeing wars in the Middle East and Africa arrived in Europe in 2015, with Germany taking in the most. Denmark has now imposed temporary checks on its border after Sweden put in place controls to stop refugees moving further north.