GENEVA 

The UN human rights office on Monday criticized the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party for sending flyers resembling one-way flight tickets to the homes of migrants and refugees as part of its election campaign.

"It is clear that narratives that seek to exclude, scapegoat, discriminate against or dehumanise migrants and refugees, undermine their ability to fully enjoy their rights," spokesperson Liz Throssell told Anadolu in a statement.

It is "vital" that states speak out "firmly" against xenophobia, discrimination, and racism against people on the move, Throssell stressed. 

"In addition, the importance of an electoral environment free from discrimination, including racial discrimination and xenophobia, cannot be overstated," she said. "All politicians and other actors must exercise restraint and avoid divisive and dehumanising rhetoric that incites hatred, violence, or discrimination."

She noted that this includes refraining from casting certain groups of people, such as migrants and refugees, as scapegoats to distract from the real problems that need to be addressed and to gain political support.

A regional branch of the AfD has been distributing fake "flight tickets" to promote the deportation of people to a "secure home country."

Last week, police in Germany launched a criminal investigation into the matter.

The flyers, designed to resemble boarding passes, advertise a one-way flight from "Germany" to a "safe country of origin" for a passenger with the name "illegal immigrant" on Feb. 23, the date of the German federal election.

* Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez.