Published : 06-10-2022
The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria (AGPS) in London has called on Greece to cease violent deportations of and human rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers fleeing war and economic hardship.
After becoming one of the main destination points during the migration crisis of 2015, Athens has hardened its policy in recent years by increasing land and sea patrols, extending a border fence and building camps with much stricter security on its islands near Turkey.
Greece said last month it would not allow the illegal entry of migrants by land or by sea, after an increase in attempted entries through its Aegean islands and land border with Turkey.
According to a considerable number of testimonies from asylum-seekers, Greek authorities are engaged in illegal pushbacks and violent attacks against migrants.
The migrants suffered theft, sexual assault and electric shock. Scores of them were also forced to undress and drowned. Children were exposed to or witnessed violence and abuse.
These illegal practices constitute a flagrant breach of Article 33(1) of the 1951 Refugee Convention, containing the cardinal principle of non-refoulement, which literally translates to ‘no pushbacks.’ Accordingly, states are prohibited from “expel[ling] or return[ing] a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories, where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”
The Turkish Coast Guard Command said it has rescued tens of thousands of irregular migrants in hundreds of pushback incidents carried out by the Greek coast guard since 2020.
Greece and the European Union should act in accordance with international law and human rights in order to end the pushbacks.
Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
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 sank or capsized. The Turkish Coast Guard Command has rescued thousands of others.
Turkey and Greece have been 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, violating international law. Ankara also accuses the EU of turning a blind eye to this blatant human rights abuse.
The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria (AGPS) in London has called on Greece to cease violent deportations of and human rights abuses against migrants and asylum seekers fleeing war and economic hardship.
After becoming one of the main destination points during the migration crisis of 2015, Athens has hardened its policy in recent years by increasing land and sea patrols, extending a border fence and building camps with much stricter security on its islands near Turkey.
Greece said last month it would not allow the illegal entry of migrants by land or by sea, after an increase in attempted entries through its Aegean islands and land border with Turkey.
According to a considerable number of testimonies from asylum-seekers, Greek authorities are engaged in illegal pushbacks and violent attacks against migrants.
The migrants suffered theft, sexual assault and electric shock. Scores of them were also forced to undress and drowned. Children were exposed to or witnessed violence and abuse.
These illegal practices constitute a flagrant breach of Article 33(1) of the 1951 Refugee Convention, containing the cardinal principle of non-refoulement, which literally translates to ‘no pushbacks.’ Accordingly, states are prohibited from “expel[ling] or return[ing] a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories, where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.”
The Turkish Coast Guard Command said it has rescued tens of thousands of irregular migrants in hundreds of pushback incidents carried out by the Greek coast guard since 2020.
Greece and the European Union should act in accordance with international law and human rights in order to end the pushbacks.
Turkey and human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
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 sank or capsized. The Turkish Coast Guard Command has rescued thousands of others.
Turkey and Greece have been 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, violating international law. Ankara also accuses the EU of turning a blind eye to this blatant human rights abuse.
