Migrants in Greece Dissatisfied with Forced Return to Turkey

Migrants who had taken the perilous path of illegal migration with hopes of reaching Europe must now take a step backward. With the implementation of an agreement between Turkey and the European Union, instead of advancing toward Western and Northern Europe, they are being forcibly returned to Turkey. Many of them are waiting on the Greek island of Lesbos for their turn to be sent back.

According to CNN, based on the agreement between the Turkish government and the European Union, all illegal migrants traveling from Turkey to Greek islands must be returned to Turkey. The European Union has taken on the cost of returning these migrants. In turn, for every Syrian returned from Greece to Turkey, one Syrian residing in Turkey should be able to legally reside in Europe.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, along with other human rights organizations, is among the critics of the recent agreement. Boris Cheshirkov, a spokesperson for the organization, says: “We must ensure that necessary safeguards are in place before implementing migrant return operations. We need to be certain that migrants are being protected. We have serious concerns and are calling on Turkey and Greece to implement these measures. We are still witnessing shortcomings in both countries.”

The organization stated that it will not participate in the project of returning migrants to Turkey, but will monitor its implementation based on its mandate.

Apostolos Staikos, a Euronews correspondent from the Greek island of Lesbos, says: “For tens of thousands of migrants and refugees who came here, Lesbos represented an island of hope. For them, setting foot here meant entering Europe. But now many of them must return to Turkey. A place where they have no desire to live.”

Source: Euronews