The European Court of Human Rights finds Greece guilty of illegal pushbacks, ordering compensation for a woman expelled to Turkey.
Strasbourg: The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Greece is guilty of systematically pushing back asylum seekers. This decision came after a woman was forcibly sent back to Turkey while trying to seek protection in Greece.
The court ordered Greece to pay her €20,000 in damages. They found clear evidence that Greece was involved in illegal deportations when she was removed. This ruling is a big deal because it’s the first time Greece has been publicly condemned for this practice, which they’ve always denied.
Campaigners were over the moon about the ruling. The Greek Council for Refugees, which helped the woman, called it a landmark decision. The woman, known as ARE in court, filed her case in 2021 after being expelled in 2019. An earlier attempt to get her complaint heard in Greece was shot down by a local prosecutor.
International jurists agreed that she was not only pushed back but also illegally detained before her deportation. The pushback happened at night, with commandos in masks forcing her and others onto a boat back to Turkey.
The court pointed out that Greek authorities violated human rights laws. The woman even managed to upload a video showing she was in Greece, which helped her case. After being sent back, she was arrested in Turkey for being part of a group accused of terrorism.
Marina Papamina, her lawyer, said this ruling is a win for all the victims of pushbacks at the Greek-Turkish border. She stressed that Greek authorities need to stop these illegal actions.
The current Greek government, led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has claimed to follow a fair migration policy, but pushbacks have reportedly increased under their watch. They’ve consistently denied these allegations, supported by security agencies.
As conflicts and climate issues push more people to seek refuge in Europe, this ruling sends a strong message. Human rights groups are thrilled, as it finally sheds light on a practice that’s been going on for years. With many similar cases pending, this decision could change the game for future cases against Greece.
