Migrants In Greece Are Beaten, Face Violence, And Forced To Return

 

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Asylum seekers frequently travel to Greece since it is one of the primary entry points into the European Union (EU) for migrants and refugees from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. On Greece’s Aegean islands, migrants seeking sanctuary in Europe are frequently confronted with violence. They are forced back out to sea while wearing handcuffs and being strip searched. Migrants’ cash, cell phones, and prescription drugs were occasionally seized as well.

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Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, has accused Greek police of abusing their power and forcing people back. To draw attention to the predicament of migrant workers, MSF released a report titled “In plain sight: The human cost of migration policies and violent practices at Greek sea borders.”

“Physical violence, including being beaten, handcuffed, strip-searched, having their possessions confiscated, and forcibly sent back to sea” was the experience many migrants encountered when arrival in Greece.

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In a startling event, Greek authorities assaulted and handcuffed migrants using sticks and plastic cable ties. According to MSF, refugees experienced severe violence.

“We urge the Greek government and European leaders to take immediate measures to ensure that individuals seeking protection in Greece are treated with humanity and dignity,” stated Christos Christou, the international president of Médecins Sans Frontières.

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The MSF was informed by migrants that they were forced to repeatedly cross hazardous seas and endure “vicious cycles of violence, pushbacks, and repetition.”