U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday told Austria's lower house of parliament that increasing restrictions on migrants will "negatively impact" Europe's commitments to international law.
Ban did not single out Austria in his speech to lawmakers in Vienna.
Ban told the legislators that, under international and European laws, they have a "moral and legal principal obligation to help those fleeing war, human rights abuses, and persecution."
His comments came on the same day legislators in Austria's upper house are scheduled to vote on a measure that would allow authorities to stop accepting asylum requests at the border if they decide it is necessary to protect "internal security."
If passed, Austria's new law would also mandate "temporary asylum" for migrants who have applied for asylum since November 15. They would be compelled to leave Austria after three years if Vienna rules that their home countries have become safe.
It would also become more difficult for relatives of asylum-seekers to join their family members in Austria.