Published : 17-09-2022
The Office of the Spokesperson for the European Commission has called on the Greek authorities to open an investigation into the deaths of six migrants (five children and a woman) in the Aegean Sea, after the Greek coast guard pushed them into the territorial waters.
The spokesman stressed the need to take all necessary measures to prevent such disasters as reported by Ankara.
The European office called on member states and parties involved in search and rescue operations to pool resources and comply with the laws related to the rescue of all migrants at sea.
The office said the European Commission is expecting Greek authorities to open an urgent investigation to uncover the facts, follow up on errors and investigate the accusations leveled against them, after the Greek Coast Guard pushed back dozens of migrants who set sail from Lebanon on a wooden boat after it ran out of fuel.
Over recent years, many international human rights organizations have accused the Greek coast guard of mistreating the refugees and illegally pushing them back to Turkey.
In recent years, hundreds of thousands have made short but perilous journeys across the Aegean to reach Northern and Western Europe in search of a better life.
Hundreds of people have died at sea as many boats carrying refugees often sink or capsize. The Turkish Coast Guard Command has rescued thousands of others.
Turkey and Greece are key transit points for migrants looking to cross into Europe, fleeing war and persecution to start new lives. Turkey has accused Greece of large-scale pushbacks, summary deportations and denying migrants access to asylum procedures, which is a violation of international law. Ankara also accuses the EU of turning a blind eye to this blatant abuse of human rights.
Pushbacks are considered contrary to international refugee protection agreements that say people should not be expelled or returned to a country where their life or safety might be in danger due to their race, religion, nationality or membership of a social or political group.
The Office of the Spokesperson for the European Commission has called on the Greek authorities to open an investigation into the deaths of six migrants (five children and a woman) in the Aegean Sea, after the Greek coast guard pushed them into the territorial waters.
The spokesman stressed the need to take all necessary measures to prevent such disasters as reported by Ankara.
The European office called on member states and parties involved in search and rescue operations to pool resources and comply with the laws related to the rescue of all migrants at sea.
The office said the European Commission is expecting Greek authorities to open an urgent investigation to uncover the facts, follow up on errors and investigate the accusations leveled against them, after the Greek Coast Guard pushed back dozens of migrants who set sail from Lebanon on a wooden boat after it ran out of fuel.
Over recent years, many international human rights organizations have accused the Greek coast guard of mistreating the refugees and illegally pushing them back to Turkey.
In recent years, hundreds of thousands have made short but perilous journeys across the Aegean to reach Northern and Western Europe in search of a better life.
Hundreds of people have died at sea as many boats carrying refugees often sink or capsize. The Turkish Coast Guard Command has rescued thousands of others.
Turkey and Greece are key transit points for migrants looking to cross into Europe, fleeing war and persecution to start new lives. Turkey has accused Greece of large-scale pushbacks, summary deportations and denying migrants access to asylum procedures, which is a violation of international law. Ankara also accuses the EU of turning a blind eye to this blatant abuse of human rights.
Pushbacks are considered contrary to international refugee protection agreements that say people should not be expelled or returned to a country where their life or safety might be in danger due to their race, religion, nationality or membership of a social or political group.
