Greek authorities recruited migrants to carry out illegal pushbacks at the Evros border, according to a BBC investigation that cites internal documents and witness testimony. The report includes allegations of violence, coercion and abuse, with witnesses describing beatings, theft and degrading treatment during forced returns.
The BBC reports that migrants from countries including Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan were recruited to take part in pushbacks along the land border with Turkey. Some were offered cash, mobile phones or even documents allowing them “in effect passage through Greece”, according to the investigation. Others said they were forced to take part.
Pushbacks are used to describe the forced return of migrants without access to asylum procedures and are widely considered illegal under international law.
File Photo: An inflatable boat used by refugees and migrants to cross Evros river, the natural border between Greece – Turkey, left on the Greek bank, on 7 May 2018.
The report cites internal police material and officer testimony suggesting the practice was widely known among officials operating in the border area. One source told the BBC: “There is no soldier, police officer or Frontex officer serving here in Evros who does not know that pushbacks are taking place.” The broadcaster also reports that messaging apps were used to coordinate operations.
Accounts describe abuse at the border
Witnesses described repeated violence during these operations, according to the BBC. Migrants said they were stripped of belongings and beaten. Some said people were beaten until they lost consciousness. Testimonies also include allegations of sexual violence. In one account cited in the report, a migrant said masked men removed a child’s diaper while searching for valuables.
The BBC says it could not independently verify all material. It reports that accounts from different sources were consistent.
Officials deny knowledge
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told the BBC he was “totally unaware” of allegations that migrants were being used in such operations. Greek authorities “did not respond to detailed written requests for comment”, the report said.
File Photo: Greek Army soldiers detain a group of migrants that crossed from Turkey to Greece, near the village of Protoklisi, in the region of Evros, Greece, March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou
The EU border agency Frontex rejected suggestions it ignores rights violations, saying it works to ensure lawful border management. The BBC reports that Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Office has examined several cases in recent years involving allegations of pushbacks by masked foreign men.
Maria Gavouneli, head of the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, told the BBC that the alleged practices could amount to an “extremely significant” abuse of human rights.
