EU executive calls for probe into alleged migrant pushbacks in Greece

·

The European Union’s executive called for an investigation into alleged migrant pushbacks in Greece on Thursday. 

It follows a report by German media outlets Der Spiegel and ARD which claim Greek and Croatian officials carry out operations that are, at times, violent. 

“Some of these reports are shocking,” the EU’s Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said.

Johansson says the evidence presented in the report seems very credible, that people on the EU’s borders were being subjected systematically to violence and that EU money was being misused to support forces that commit such “unacceptable” acts.

The German media report said it had evidence including footage of a Greek coast guard forcing migrants back into the Aegean Sea. 

The Greek Herald has not independently verified the allegations.

A Greek national flag and a European Union flag flutter inside a newly inaugurated closed-type migrant camp on the island of Samos, Greece, September 18, 2021 (Photo: REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis)

Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis has denied reports of migrant pushbacks and said it operated within international law to protect Greek and EU borders.

“We strongly deny these allegations. Greek borders are EU borders and we operate within international and European law to protect them,” Mitarakis said in a statement.

“We make no apology for our continued focus on breaking up these human trafficking operations, and protecting Europe’s border.”

Under international law, people have a right to claim asylum and it is forbidden to send potential asylum-seekers back to where their lives or well-being might be in danger.

But these principles have often been ignored in Europe in recent years amid periodic surges in the number of migrants fleeing wars or poverty in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

Frontline states in the migrant crisis such as Greece and Italy have often felt overwhelmed and have at times sought to force people arriving irregularly to return to where they came from without assessing each case individually.

Dunja Mijatović, the European Commissioner of Human Rights, issued similar calls in May for Greece to end pushback operations. 

Source: Ekathimerini, Reuters

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

Greek film festival turns 30 with a Stellar Line-Up of Award-Winning films

The Greek Film Festival is celebrating a major anniversary this year - 30 years of bringing Greek stories to Australian screens.

Summer School for Greek Language teachers in Australia

For the first time in Australia, a specialized online summer school will be held for teachers of the Greek language in the diaspora.

Children’s week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Children’s Week the Greek Community of Melbourne Schools are taking part in the celebrations organised by the Victorian Government

Get Online Week at the Greek Community of Melbourne

As part of Get Online Week 2025, the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria will proudly join Good Things Foundation’s national campaign.

St Benedict School in Mt Torrens rejects screens, embraces ancient Greek philosophy

Established in early 2024 by members of the Catholic Church of the Holy Name, St Benedict has grown to around 50 students.

You May Also Like

Is Greece one of the happiest countries in the world?

Every year on March 20, a World Happiness Report ranks global happiness in more than 150 countries. Where does Greece and Australia rank?

AHEPA NSW celebrates 190 years of Australian Hellenic women

AHEPA NSW Inc held a successful tribute to the 190th anniversary of the arrival of the first female Hellene migrants in Australia.

Pontian community gathers in Sydney to honour Greek Genocide victims

A moving memorial service commemorating the victims of the Greek Genocide was held on Sunday, May 18, in Sydney.