It sounds like the plan to deport people to Turkey is turning into a real mess.
So the Greece deportations are going ‘smoothly’? Take a closer look
Apostolis Fotiadis
The first refugees have been returned under the EU-Turkey deal, and there are already concerns about coercion and force being used
‘Officials from Frontex clarified that the boats carried mostly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Afghans and Moroccans who were going to be deported to Turkey prior to the deal or didn’t request asylum.’ Photograph: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
Monday 4 April 201611.50 EDTLast modified on Monday 4 April 201615.50 EDT
Today had been declared the first day that migrants and refugees would be deported from Greece within the framework of the EU-Turkey deal, and European authorities seemed determined not to miss the date. So as of Sunday, Greek police, along with the EU border agency Frontex, organised a large-scale operation to ensure the smooth handling of today’s returns from the islands of Chios and Lesbos.
The operation was initially deemed a success, with reports being limited to the boats and their occupants, which offered some digestible photo ops. There is plenty of evidence, though, that suggests that it has been no more than a media-savvy gesture on behalf of the European commission.
How much coercion and force will become necessary when people really start resisting deportations?
Officials from Frontex clarified that the boats carried mostly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Afghans and Moroccans who were going to be deported to Turkeyprior to the deal or didn’t request asylum. There were only two Syrians among them who appear not to have requested international protection. Indeed authorities appear to have rushed to identify such people so they could be available for today’s return. Termed “easy cases” by Frontex spokeswoman Eva Moncure, they are perfect material for today’s photo op.
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So the Greece deportations are going ‘smoothly’? Take a closer look | Aspostolis Fotiadis
So the Greece deportations are going ‘smoothly’? Take a closer look
Apostolis Fotiadis
The first refugees have been returned under the EU-Turkey deal, and there are already concerns about coercion and force being used
‘Officials from Frontex clarified that the boats carried mostly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Afghans and Moroccans who were going to be deported to Turkey prior to the deal or didn’t request asylum.’ Photograph: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images
Monday 4 April 201611.50 EDTLast modified on Monday 4 April 201615.50 EDT
Today had been declared the first day that migrants and refugees would be deported from Greece within the framework of the EU-Turkey deal, and European authorities seemed determined not to miss the date. So as of Sunday, Greek police, along with the EU border agency Frontex, organised a large-scale operation to ensure the smooth handling of today’s returns from the islands of Chios and Lesbos.
The operation was initially deemed a success, with reports being limited to the boats and their occupants, which offered some digestible photo ops. There is plenty of evidence, though, that suggests that it has been no more than a media-savvy gesture on behalf of the European commission.
How much coercion and force will become necessary when people really start resisting deportations?
Officials from Frontex clarified that the boats carried mostly Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Afghans and Moroccans who were going to be deported to Turkeyprior to the deal or didn’t request asylum. There were only two Syrians among them who appear not to have requested international protection. Indeed authorities appear to have rushed to identify such people so they could be available for today’s return. Termed “easy cases” by Frontex spokeswoman Eva Moncure, they are perfect material for today’s photo op.
Continue reading at:
So the Greece deportations are going ‘smoothly’? Take a closer look | Aspostolis Fotiadis
