The European Court of Human Rights has found Greece guilty of systematically conducting illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers, ordering the country to pay €20,000 in damages to a woman forcibly expelled to Turkey in 2019.
The Strasbourg-based tribunal ruled that Greece violated the European Convention on Human Rights by forcibly deporting the woman, identified as ARE, despite her attempts to seek protection.
The court cited “strong indications” of a “systematic practice of pushbacks” by Greek authorities, particularly in the Evros region, marking the first time Greece has been publicly condemned for such actions. This ruling also represents the first time the court has examined a pushback complaint involving Greek authorities.
The Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), which represented the complainant, called the judgment a “landmark” decision. ARE, who fled political persecution in Turkey, had been detained and expelled under cover of darkness by commandos in balaclavas, before being sent back to Turkey. She was later arrested and imprisoned by Turkish authorities on charges related to the Gulen movement.
Marina Papamina, GCR’s legal coordinator, described the ruling as a “vindication” for the many others subjected to pushbacks, urging Greek authorities to end the illegal practice. Greece’s government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has consistently denied such allegations, maintaining that its migration policies are legal and fair.
The ruling is seen as a major step in exposing widespread pushbacks, with human rights groups calling it a significant victory. Lefteris Papagiannakis, director of the Greek Refugee Council, said the decision would serve as a precedent for similar pending cases before the court.
Source: The Guardian.
