Activists slam Greece for pushing back migrants in Lesbos protest
PROTESTORS from human rights organizations descended on the Greek island of Lesbos on Saturday to oppose the deadly pushbacks of migrants trying to reach Europe.
The demonstrators expressed their frustration with the Greek coast guard and the EU border protection agency Frontex and the role the two play in the dangerous practice.
“Pushbacks kill people” and “Burn borders” were some of the slogans on the placards hoisted by the protesters as they marched along the harbor of Lesbos, according to media reports.
Greek Shipping Minister Giannis Plakiotakis had said Friday that all complaints about pushbacks by Greek forces had turned out to be unsubstantiated. Pushbacks are illegal under international law.
But aid groups have charged for years that Greek officials are pushing people back to Turkey. Frequent media reports and research have continued to point to evidence that it is happening.
However, Greece argues that it is simply protecting its own borders, which also happen to be the external boundaries of the European Union.
“The first priority is protecting lives, in line with international law,” according to Plakiotakis on Friday. He also noted that tens of thousands of people have been rescued in the Mediterranean in recent years.
The European Union’s top migration official told Greece on Thursday to stop “violent” deportations of migrants or risk losing funds.
After becoming one of the main destination points during the migration crisis of 2015, Athens has hardened its policy in the past year by increasing land and sea patrols, extending a border fence and building camps with much stricter security on its islands near Turkey.
It has repeatedly denied accusations of so-called pushbacks of asylum-seekers, saying it intercepts boats at sea to protect its own and the European Union’s borders.
“Protecting EU external border from illegal entry is an obligation. Violent and illegal deportations of migrants must stop, now,” said Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said after meeting Greek government ministers. She said Athens would put in place from September a new system to safeguard fundamental rights. She gave no details about the new system. Greek officials have yet to comment.
“Funding is linked to EU fundamental rights being correctly applied,” she added.
The Turkish Coast Guard Command said last week it has rescued 33,964 irregular migrants in 1,295 pushback incidents carried out by the Greek coast guard since 2020, calling on Greece and the European Union to act in accordance with international law and human rights in order to end the pushbacks.
Turkey’s Ombudsman Institution report also mentioned that Greece has pushed back nearly 42,000 asylum-seekers since 2020. Noting that 98% of the pushbacks involved torture and ill-treatment, the report said 88% of the 8,000 asylum-seekers who came to the Greek border were beaten. It added that 97% of them suffered theft, 5% sexual assault and 8% electric shock, while 49% were forced to undress and 16% drowned. Of the children among them, 68% were exposed to or witnessed violence and abuse, the report stressed.
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.
Pushbacks are contrary to international refugee protection agreements, which dictate that people should not be expelled or returned to a country where their life and safety might be in danger due to their race, religion, nationality, or membership in a social or political group.