The United Nations and human-rights groups have warned a draft deal between the European Union and Turkey to stem the flow of migrants and refugees to Europe could be illegal.
Under the proposal, all those who enter Europe from Turkey in the future would be sent back.
In exchange, Turkey would receive financial aid, faster EU entry talks and quicker visa-free travel for its citizens.
The United Nations refugee agency says the proposal to send refugees back en masse from the European Union to Turkey would contravene their right to protection under law.
The UNHCR director in Europe, Vincent Cochetel, has explained the agency's view.
"Collective expulsion of foreigners is prohibited under the European Convention of Human Rights. An agreement that would be tantamount to a blanket return of any foreigners to a certain country is not consistent with European law, is not consistent with international law."
The European Commission insists the agreement would be legal.
But the human rights group Amnesty International says the proposal is fraught with problems.
Its director in Europe, John Dalhuisen, has told Al Jazeera television the deal is neither fair nor orderly.
"If the EU's idea of taking part in a global responsibility, a global sharing of refugees, is to make the number of Syrian refugees it takes in conditional on the number of Syrians prepared to risk their lives in a boat, well then, that is decision-making from the heart of a moral abyss."
In the Turkish port city of Izmir, an influx of migrants and refugees has caused growing tension.
Some local people are calling for them to be rounded up.
(Translated) "My expectation, what I want, is for the Syrians to all leave here. I want them to be gathered somewhere. Our rents have become more expensive. Food prices have gone up. This is very difficult for us."
This man says his family that entered the country just wants to move on.
(Translated)"My desire is to go to Europe, and all the countries and their presidents are only looking for their own interests, to take money at the expense of the Syrian people. I want to go with my family to Europe."
Undeterred by the draft agreement, people from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan continue to travel by sea to Greece in their thousands.
On the mainland, about 14,000 people remain stranded at a camp on the Greece-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia border.
Many there had hoped the EU leaders' meeting in Brussels would produce a decision to open the border and let them through.
Volunteer doctor Nick Sarchet says conditions at the camp are deteriorating.
"We're really worried about outbreak conditions, potential for measles, cholera, polio, that sort of thing. But the most common condition is just the basic cough and cold, body aches, a little gastroenteritis."
The deal is due to be finalised next week.
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