In a landmark ruling, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) declared that Greece’s actions during the attempted entry of a Turkish national, identified as A.R.E., were in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights. The court found Greece guilty of conducting illegal pushbacks, which involve returning asylum seekers to their countries without due process, underscoring a systemic pattern of such practices by Greek authorities.
A.R.E. crossed the Evros River alongside two fellow nationals, fleeing accusations of links to the Gülen movement in Turkey. Her ordeal began with detention by Greek authorities, who not only denied her legal representation but also disregarded their asylum requests. Ultimately, she and her companions were violently pushed back into Turkey, leading to her immediate arrest and imprisonment upon return.
The ECtHR marked Greece’s pushback tactics as unlawful, violating international laws like the 1951 Refugee Convention, which safeguards the right to seek asylum. The court found specific breaches of Article 3, concerning inhumane treatment, and Article 5, regarding liberty, condemning Greece for neglecting to evaluate the risks A.R.E. faced if returned to Turkey.
Moreover, Greece was found to violate Article 13 by denying the applicant an effective remedy, compelling her to navigate her detention without knowing the reasons for her arrest. The court insisted on the Greek government’s responsibility to adequately investigate human rights violations and provide essential procedural safeguards against arbitrary detentions.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece for violating numerous provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, specifically regarding the illegal pushback of a Turkish national, A.R.E. The court identified multiple rights violations during her forced return to Turkey, including lack of legal recourse and failure to assess risks of ill-treatment. Greece’s practices are deemed unlawful and contrary to established international asylum laws.
The ECtHR’s ruling serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities nations bear in safeguarding the rights of asylum seekers. Greece’s systematic pushbacks have not only violated individual rights but also contravened international law designed to protect the vulnerable. This landmark decision calls for urgent reforms to ensure compliance with human rights norms and restore the integrity of asylum processes in Greece and beyond.
The ruling by the ECtHR highlights the significant legal and humanitarian standards related to asylum seekers within Europe. The case underscores critical issues surrounding Greece’s handling of immigrants and the broader implications of illegal pushbacks, which sharply contravene international conventions aimed at protecting refugees. This situation reflects a growing concern regarding human rights abuses at borders, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legal frameworks that uphold the dignity and rights of those seeking asylum.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
