A top human rights group has expressed serious concerns over the worsening situation of refugees and migrants fleeing wars and economic hardships in Europe. The financial turmoil and austerity stokes bias against foreigners have exacerbated their plight.

An annual global report on human rights was released on Wednesday. In its report, Amnesty International has pointed Greece's tough new immigration laws and Italy's deportation laws to force asylum seekers into countries where they are at risk of abuse.

Amnesty International Secretary General Salil Shetty said that serious problems have been documented in Greece and Italy. The treatment for migrants and asylum seeker has really been disgraceful in these two countries.

He said that tough economic times have attributed to anti-foreigner attitudes. The 313-page report covered 153 countries and territories. It criticized international inaction on Syria's civil war.

Amnesty International said in its report that the rights of millions of refugees and migrants have been abused in the past year. Also, it said that state authorities and employers are equally responsible for the suffering of vulnerable groups.

Shetty told Reuters news agency, "The international community has a serious responsibility here because we often have western and richer governments going into conferences and pledging, but they never support in real terms". The support is never equal to the pledges, he added.