Rushed implementation of EU-Turkey deal aims to deter asylum seekers at any cost
Under the deal agreed today, asylum seekers and migrants arriving in Greece can be sent back to Turkey, starting from this Sunday March 20.
GUE/NGL President, Gabi Zimmer, criticised the package negotiated between EU leaders and Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu: "Those who agree to the rushed starting date of this deal have no regard for international law and simply want to deter refugees from coming to Europe at any cost."
"Greece currently has 45,000 asylum seekers within its borders and is at breaking point. This congested country is forced to take the responsibility alone to check the individual right to asylum and protection of all these refugees, including the right to appeal decisions. Leaving Greece in this position is likely to lead to more unjustified blame being put on Greece if this new approach doesn't go well.
"When will the necessary judges, interpreters and technicians arrive so that the promised safeguards of international human rights standards outlined in the EU-Turkey deal can be met? Let alone the necessary law changes in Greece and Turkey..." implores Zimmer.
In response to widespread criticism of the classification of Turkey as a 'safe third country' which is required under international law, Zimmer continues: "All human rights concerns are being brushed aside with a simple assurance of respect for human rights from Turkey. How can we rely on the assurances of Erdoğan, who leads a war against the Kurdish people in his own country and puts opposition figures and journalists in prison?"
"It is outrageous that EU leaders could not come up with any better solution than to leave the protection of refugees in Erdoğan's hands. This deal not only reinforces his actions in Turkey, but also invalidates the EU's claim to be a defender of human rights."
"There must be a European solution based on solidarity. We must support Greece in addressing the challenges they face. That support must include a fair distribution of refugees among EU member states.
Zimmer concludes: "How will the funds approved for Turkey be spent? Where will the additional three billion euros come from? What will happen when the upper limit of 72,000 Syrians to be relocated in the EU has been reached? In answering these questions, the European Parliament has to be involved."
GUE/NGL Press
18/03/2016
