The member of the European Union (EU) Commission in charge of internal affairs, Ylva Johansson, forewarned Greece that it might take official action in response to the most recent push-back charges reported in the US press.
I met with the Greek administration a year ago to talk about border management, and I was quite clear that there was no place for unauthorized deportations. Johansson provided the post in which he announced the relevant meeting when using the term.
After the New York Times published the photos, Johansson claimed he contacted the pertinent authorities once more and added, "We have filed an official request to the Greek authorities for a comprehensive and impartial examination of this occurrence. The Greek authorities must conduct appropriate follow-up in accordance with the new independent monitoring structure. The phrases "(the EU Commission) is prepared to take formal steps as necessary" were used.
Images from the New York Times claim that 12 asylum seekers, including women and children, are transported to a remote location in a white minibus by individuals wearing ski masks before being placed on an inflatable boat on Lesbos Island. The vessel then transports them to the vessel of the Greek Coast Guard. In the middle of the Aegean Sea, the boat abandons the refugees.
pushbacksSince 2020, there have been reports of pushbacks by the Greek coast guard in the international press. These reports claim that Greek coast guard vessels are obstructing and even causing damage to immigrant boats trying to go from Turkey to Greece.
The United Nations (UN) and several human rights organizations also raise pushback. These groups' claims claim that Greece deployed rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas against those attempting to cross its land borders in Meriç, which is the region that shares a border with Turkey.
Numerous legal infractions are cited by witnesses to the violence, including the excessive use of force by Greek border troops, beatings, and the use of live ammunition, illegal imprisonment, and systematic pushbacks to Turkey.
The news regarding pushbacks keeps coming despite all the data, reports, and official comments.