In a pivotal ruling, the European Court of Human Rights has condemned Greece for its illegal pushback practices, marking a significant victory for human rights. The court established that Greece violated protections against inhuman treatment and failed to provide legal remedies for the victims of such actions, specifically outlining the case of a Turkish woman denied her right to seek asylum in 2019.
The court’s findings revealed that pushbacks violate critical international laws, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the EU Schengen Borders Code, which affirm the right of individuals to seek asylum. This illegal practice endangers the principle of non-refoulement, which protects refugees from being sent back to perilous situations.
Despite the Greek government’s continuous denial of pushback allegations, extensive documentation by international organizations, including reports by the United Nations, reveals a systematic approach to these illegal actions. Reports by various media outlets have also highlighted the ongoing nature of this situation, citing an extensive regime of impunity surrounding pushbacks at the border with Turkey.
The court’s decision was primarily supported by unassailable evidence from a Turkish woman who fled persecution in Turkey. She successfully tracked her location, demonstrating her forced transit to the Evros River, where she was subsequently deported back to Turkey, reinforcing the court’s conclusion of a systematic pushback practice by Greek authorities.
Pushback victims often find their mobile phones confiscated, limiting evidence gathering of such events. On the same day the court issued its ruling, another case lacked sufficient evidence despite recognizing a broader pattern of pushbacks by Greece.
As a result, Greece was ordered to compensate the Turkish woman with €20,000 for damages. This marks one of over 80 injunctions the court has issued in recent years, which underscores the scale and persistence of the pushback issue despite ongoing legal interventions.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against Greece for human rights violations related to illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers, specifically focusing on a Turkish woman denied her asylum rights in 2019. The court condemned Greece for failing to provide legal remedies and finding systematic practices of pushbacks. It ordered Greece to pay the victim €20,000 in damages, and this ruling reflects broader issues of accountability in asylum policies across Europe.
The European Court of Human Rights’ ruling against Greece for illegal pushbacks signifies a crucial acknowledgment of human rights violations faced by asylum seekers. This decision is not just a verdict on past actions but also a clarion call for accountability in how nations treat vulnerable individuals seeking refuge. The ongoing documentation and reporting serve as reminders of the need for systemic change in border policies across Europe.
The illegal pushback of migrants involves forcibly returning individuals to their countries without due process, directly contravening their rights to seek asylum. This practice has gained significant international attention, particularly for how it undermines protections established by international law and treaties designed to safeguard refugees. Greece’s engagement in such actions has sparked outrage from humanitarian organizations and prompted legal scrutiny from the European Court of Human Rights, which seeks to remind nations of their obligations towards asylum seekers.
Original Source: www.tovima.com
