The UN warned on Monday that the illegal expulsion of migrants and refugees from European borders was becoming “normal” and criticized the violence and human rights violations of migrants, some of whom died on the way.
The UN warned on Monday that the illegal expulsion of migrants and refugees from European borders was becoming “normal” and criticized the violence and human rights violations of migrants, some of whom died on the way.
“What is happening on Europe's borders is legally and morally unacceptable and must stop,” said High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, adding that he feared that these “sad practices” would normalize and become the rule. “
“Violence, ill-treatment and expulsions continue to be reported regularly at many land and sea border crossings, inside and outside the European Union, despite repeated calls to end these practices,” he said in a statement.
He particularly highlighted reports of events on Greece's land and sea borders with Turkey, saying UNHCR had received reports of about 540 incidents in which Greek authorities expelled migrants since early 2020.
“Concerning incidents have also been reported in Central and Southeast Europe, on the borders with EU member states,” Grandi said.
UNHCR has also criticized the way smugglers treat migrants and refugees at sea.
“People say that at sea they were left at the mercy of the waves on life rafts or even forced to jump into the water, which is evidence of cruel negligence for human life,” he added.
According to the UNHCR, at least three people have been killed in such incidents since September 2021 in the Aegean, one of them in January.
“Equally terrible practices happen often at land borders and we have confirmed testimonies of how people were stripped and cruelly expelled in difficult weather conditions,” he said.
With a few exceptions, European states have not investigated that information, he said, expressing regret that authorities care more about building walls and fences.
These measures have no deterrent effect at all when people flee wars and persecution, he warned.
Source: hr.n1info.com
