Turkish coast guard rescues immigrants pushed back by Greek authorities
Turkish UAV belonging to Turkish Naval Forces Command is observing that the Greek Coast Guard forces are pushing a boat carrying irregular immigrants in July 22, 2024. (via X)
On 22 July 2024, the Turkish Coast Guard Command successfully rescued a group of irregular immigrants who had been pushed into Turkish territorial waters by the Greek coast guard.
This incident was initially detected during reconnaissance and surveillance activities conducted by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Turkish Naval Forces Command.
Immigrants rescued by Turkish coast guard
Turkish Ministry of Defence announced on social media platform X, “During the reconnaissance and surveillance activities carried out with the UAV belonging to our Naval Forces Command; It was observed that the Greek Coast Guard elements left the region by pushing a boat carrying irregular immigrants in the north of Lesbos Island into Turkish territorial waters in the north direction.”
Turkish Ministry of Defense said: “Our Coast Guard Command was immediately informed and the immigrants in question were rescued by the Coast Guard boat that arrived in the region.”
Ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Aegean
Attempts to cross into Greece continue despite pushbacks. On Jan. 26, an independent hotline Alarm Phone reported that 14 people were missing while nine were taken to a Greek camp in Chios.
On Jan. 24, the hotline reported that 33 people were in distress near Lesvos. The distressed individuals indicated that two vessels carrying the EU flag were nearby but instead of assisting, these boats created large waves. Hours later, the group reported being pushed back into Turkish waters.
On Jan. 22, an individual with health issues requiring urgent assistance called the hotline. Two days later, Greek authorities informed Alarm Phone volunteers that the person had stayed at a police station in Leros overnight and would be transferred to Chios.
On Jan. 20, a group of 36 people was rescued by a merchant’s vessel after multiple calls to rescue coordination centers in Greece, Egypt, and Libya. On the same day, in Farmakonissi, 20 migrants were rescued while four remained missing after their boat capsized.
Pushbacks and violence by Greek coast guard
On Jan. 19, 12 Palestinians were found drifting in a Greek-manufactured life raft in Turkish waters near Kastellorizo. Palestinians face consistent denial of their rights even when seeking refuge in Europe. On the same day, volunteers reported further pushback after 15 people who arrived on the island of Ro were sent back to Turkish waters. After volunteers contacted the Turkish Coast Guard Command, they were informed that the migrants had been transported to Türkiye.
Reports of inhumane conditions
The Border Violence Monitoring Network (BVMN) published a report revealing widespread violence in Greek camps and detention centers. According to the report, migrants were punished for minor infractions such as coughing or making eye contact with officials.
The inhumane punishments and beatings, often in EU-funded camps, raise questions of accountability.
ECtHR Rulings
On Jan. 23, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) awarded 8000 euros ($8709.2)to a 15-year-old unaccompanied Afghan asylum-seeker for being left homeless for six months by Greek authorities, violating Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
On Jan. 18, the ECtHR ruled in favor of an unaccompanied child in Samos, whose wrongful registration as an adult and subsequent poor treatment violated his rights under Article 8 of the ECHR.
On Jan. 16, the ECtHR awarded 80,000 euros to the family of Belal Tello, who was shot by Greek coastguards.
The Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) urged Greek authorities to improve conditions in detention facilities. The situation in Greece reflects a breakdown of the rule of law, as violence and pushbacks against migrants continue with European consent.
