Greece tells migrants from five countries to seek asylum in Turkey

·

Greece on Monday designated neighbouring Turkey as a safe country in which to seek international protection for the majority of asylum-seekers departing its shores for Greece.

A joint decree from the Greek foreign and migration ministries said the designation applies to asylum-seekers from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia.

It said Turkey meets all criteria to examine asylum requests from these nationals, as there “they are not in any danger… due to their race, religion, citizenship, political beliefs or membership in some particular social group, and can seek asylum in Turkey instead of in Greece.”

READ MORE: New digital barriers aim to deter migrants from entering EU illegally.

That, in theory, could reduce migration flows to European Union member Greece, as it would allow it to return asylum-seekers from these countries to Turkey — which itself has a huge migrant and refugee population.

Greece tells migrants from five countries to seek asylum in Turkey. Photo: Fotomovimiento.org.

Nevertheless, despite pressure from the EU and Athens, Ankara has shown little appetite for taking back migrants who reached Greece from its territory, despite a 2016 Turkish-EU agreement that was meant to stem illegal migration into the 27-nation bloc.

Greek officials said Athens has so far this year asked Turkey to take back 1,453 people, without success.

READ MORE: Greece pushes to send 1,450 migrants back to Turkey.

Nevertheless, Migration Minister, Notis Mitarachi, described Monday’s decision as “an important step in tackling illegal migration flows” which, he said, would “force” Turkey to crack down on illegal migration and smuggling networks.

Mitarachi added that the decision “is fully in line with international law and enhances Greece’s legal arsenal against (asylum) requests by citizens of … Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia, who objectively have no reason not to consider Turkey a safe country.”

Greek Migration Minister, Notis Mitarachi.

Greece and Turkey are historic regional rivals, and military tensions rose dangerously last year over marine boundaries. Athens accuses Ankara of using migration as a weapon, pointing to the Turkish government’s failed bid last year, before the military tension, to wave thousands of migrants and refugees towards Greece.

READ MORE: Greek minister claims NGOs to blame for arrival of undocumented Somali migrants.

Several human rights groups have accused Greece of illegally deporting some migrants to Turkey without letting them apply for asylum. Athens denies that.

Although a record 1 million people entered Greece through Turkey in 2015 — mostly seeking to move on to wealthier EU countries — flows have since been greatly reduced.

So far this year, just over 3,000 people have reached Greece from Turkey, mostly by sea in flimsy craft. According to the UN refugee agency, 47% were Afghans, 15% were Syrians and 9% were Somalis.

Source: AP News.

READ MORE: Greece seeks bids to build closed holding centres for migrants on islands.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Teen star Sam Konstas earns first Cricket Australia contract

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old opener from New South Wales, has been awarded his first Cricket Australia contract for the 2025–26 season.

Brisbane taverna owner John Theoharis disqualified from driving after licence breach

John Theoharis, co-owner of Brisbane’s popular Lefkas Taverna, has been fined $300 and disqualified from driving for three months.

Giannis Antetokounmpo in talks to buy the Sydney Kings

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is in talks to buy a stake in the Sydney Kings — with plans to rename the team the ‘Spartan Kings.’

Paros submerged, Syros pelted by hail as storms sweep the Cyclades

Severe weather swept across several Cycladic islands on Monday, March 31 with Paros and Syros among the hardest hit.

Sydney remembers Cyprus’ fight for freedom ahead of National Day anniversary

Cypriot and Greek Australians gathered in solemn remembrance on Sunday, 30 March, for a memorial service marking Cyprus National Day.

You May Also Like

Greek Foreign Minister: Solution with Turkey ‘difficult but not impossible’

Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, has said on Sunday that while a solution with Turkey is difficult, it is not impossible.

The migrant story still lives on in fourth-generation Greek-Australians

The Greek Studies Department at Macquarie University is a melting pot of different students with some type of connection to the Greek language, or...

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese plans pilgrimage to Athens, Constantinople and Tbilisi

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia (GOAA) is organising a 14-day Pilgrimage Tour to Athens, Constantinople, and Tbilisi in Georgia.