International Courant
ATHENS
Greece’s social democratic opposition PASOK get together has urged an investigation after a BBC report alleged that unlawful Greek Coast Guard pushbacks within the Aegean Sea led to the deaths of migrants.
“The safety of human life and dignity, respect for Worldwide Legislation and the Greek Structure, nevertheless, can’t be negotiated,” it stated in an announcement, drawing consideration to the broader political consensus on the necessity to guard the borders and on the felony position of human trafficking rings.
“With out additional delay an in-depth investigation and attribution of particular duties, wherever they exist, is required,” it stated.
A BBC investigation Monday stated 43 victims died in 15 separate incidents linked to the actions of the Greek Coast Guard over a three-year interval.
The accusations stem from practices the place migrants had been compelled out of Greek territorial waters, often known as pushbacks, or returned to the ocean after reaching Greek islands.
The first sources for the allegations embrace media reviews, non-governmental organizations and the coast guard in neighboring Türkiye.
Footage obtained by the BBC confirmed 12 folks being loaded onto a Greek Coast Guard boat and subsequently deserted on a dinghy.
The Greek authorities has confronted long-standing accusations from NGOs, governments and worldwide watchdogs of participating in compelled returns, typically pushing migrants — together with girls and kids — again towards Türkiye, the place they initially crossed.
Such actions are unlawful underneath worldwide regulation. Regardless of the accusations, the Greek Coast Guard has firmly denied any involvement in unlawful actions.
This investigation marks the primary time the variety of deadly incidents has been calculated involving the Greek Coast Guard.
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