On July 14, 2023, the plight of refugees who crossed the borders from Turkey to Greece began, embarking on a arduous journey to Europe in search of a safe haven and a better life.
On August 24rd, Today, the refugees who were forcibly returned are seeking information about the fate of the others who remained in the detention center under Greek authorities.
The refugees reached the Greek island, among them were children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with heart and kidney conditions. All of them remained stranded on the Greek island for weeks, enduring harsh conditions without shelter, food, or water.
The refusal of the Greek border guards to receive them and the repeated disregard of their pleas for help contradict humanitarian and ethical values, the very values upheld and protected by the European community.
On August 11, the Greek authorities apprehended the refugees and transported them to a prison near the state police in the town of Soufli. There, the refugees were subjected to harsh treatment including beatings, insults, denial of food, lack of medical care, and necessary medications.
On August 13, they were transferred from the prison to an island in the Evros/Maritsa River using overcrowded trucks, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and a child.
Today, Friday - August 18, a total of 130 refugees from various nationalities including Syrian, Palestinian, and Iraqi, remain stranded on an island in the Evros/Maritsa River, near the town of Didimoticho in Greece.
On August 20th, refugees were subjected to an attack by an unknown party. The unidentified party proceeded to search them for mobile phones, then swiftly transported them to another location by cars. They are currently located in Soufli.
On August 23rd, at 14:36, the refugees stranded at the Greek borders informed me about their difficult situation that requires immediate intervention. Due to the challenging circumstances and obstacles they face, including shortages of food, water, and medicine, and an urgent need for healthcare, they decided to head towards the nearest center of Greek authorities at the border, hoping to receive essential assistance and support. As an additional step, the refugees conducted a live video broadcast on Facebook.
- While on their way, the live broadcast suddenly cut off. Shortly after, I received a message from the refugees indicating that Greek police cars had reached them and transported them to a prison facility in the Soufli area.
- A few hours later, the refugees contacted me again, reporting that they had been subjected to physical abuse and humiliation. They were subsequently transferred to another detention center near the town of Didimoticho.
- Later that night, the Greek authorities forcibly returned 25 individuals to an island in the Evros River, and 40 others to another island in the same river. One of the women stated that she was separated from her children, as she and her husband were returned to the island while their two children remained there, their fate unknown.
- The Greek authorities should not be returning them to the island or leaving them stranded in the border forests, which could expose them to further danger.
Today, the refugees who were forcibly returned are seeking information about the fate of the others who remained in the detention center under Greek authorities.
The neglect of the Greek authorities in receiving them or providing humanitarian assistance may have a negative impact on their physical and mental well-being. The Greek authorities should never force anyone to return forcibly to a country where they could face violations of human rights.
Furthermore, international law guarantees the protection of the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, regardless of the manner of their arrival or the reason behind it. Seeking asylum is a human right, and every individual should be allowed to enter another country to seek asylum.
Greece is a party to the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
You can contribute to saving lives and protecting rights by sending an email pleading for the rescue of the refugees stranded in Greece and providing them with urgent assistance, including food, healthcare, necessary medications, and shelter, while ensuring their right to seek asylum and protection.
The following institutions and individuals received over 100 humanitarian appeals via email:
- Ms. Maria Clara Martin, UNHCR Representative in Greece.
- Appeals Authority of the General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
- Asylum Service Directorates in Greece.
- General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
- Greek Council for Refugees.
- UNHCR in Greece.
- IOM in Greece.
- Amnesty International in Greece.
- Hellenic League for Human Rights in Greece.
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Greece.
- Mr. Gianluca Rocco, Chief of Mission IOM Athens, Greece.
- Ms. Eva Cosse, Senior Researcher, European Union of HRW.
- Ms. Jelena Sesar, researcher in Amnesty International.
- Ms. Niovi Ringou, Head of the European Commission Representation in Greece.
- Ms Luisa RAGHER, Head of Human Rights Division, European External Action Service (EEAS).
At this location visible on Google Maps, Greek authorities’ vehicles arrived.
Please note: They were transported by Greek authorities to a detention center in the Soufli area, as indicated on Google Maps.
The final segment of the live broadcast on Facebook by the Refugees, before the arrival of the Greek authorities’ vehicles. However, the broadcast suddenly cut off..