Greece pushed migrants back to Turkey, EU watched
It has been reported that Greece pushed back irregular migrants off the coast of Lesbos while Frontex looked on. According to a report leaked to the European press, senior Frontex officials concealed potential human rights violation cases from the agency's fundamental rights officers.
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Aegean Boat Report, a non-governmental organization monitoring irregular migration movements in the Aegean Sea, reported that Hellenic Coast Guard units illegally pushed back irregular migrants off the coast of Lesbos on January 25, while a vessel belonging to the European Union's (EU) border agency, Frontex, merely watched the incident.
According to the Aegean Boat Report, a boat carrying 38 irregular migrants from Afghanistan was intercepted by Hellenic Coast Guard units as it approached the north of Lesbos on January 25 and was pushed back toward Turkey.
It was noted that although a Latvian vessel serving under Frontex was present at the scene, it merely observed this illegal intervention.
The report, which includes videos taken by the irregular migrants, stated that the Hellenic Coast Guard units disabled the engine of the boat carrying the migrants and pushed it toward Turkish territorial waters.
The report stated that the boat carrying the irregular migrants was detected by Turkish Coast Guard units and brought to Turkey, and that the Frontex vessel, which witnessed this illegal intervention, did not file any report regarding the incident.
DRAWS CRITICISM FOR YEARS
Reports regarding pushback incidents involving Frontex alongside the Greek coast guard have appeared in the international press since 2020. According to these reports, Greek coast guard boats blocked, damaged, and even sank the boats of migrants attempting to cross from Turkey to Greece, while Frontex turned a blind eye to the events.
Although it was concluded that Frontex and its management, which faced criticism, demands for explanation, and investigations in Brussels, failed to prevent fundamental rights violations, the allegations have not ceased. These reports have been supported by numerous pieces of evidence, including witness testimonies, video recordings, and satellite imagery.
It was stated that the Frontex database contains records of hundreds of irregular migrants being pushed back in the Aegean.
According to a report leaked to the European press, senior Frontex officials concealed potential human rights violation cases from the agency's fundamental rights officers.
Following these events, the former director of Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri, resigned from his post.