Greece begins returning migrants, refugees to Turkey
(Agencies) Updated: 2016-04-05 08:01
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A man lies in pain, after his foot was stepped on, in front of Greek policemen as migrants and refugees block the highway near the Greek-Macedonian border near the village of Evzoni, Greece, April 4, 2016. [Photo/Agencies] |
However, after the gradual border closures along the Balkan route in February, more than 50,000 were trapped in Greece.
Some 4,500 refugees and migrants were detained in the last two weeks across hot spots on the Greek islands, and await their deportation to Turkey in the coming days.
Under the initial timetable, the Turkish ferries would carry more people to Dikili on Tuesday and Wednesday.
But Greek state broadcaster ERT Kyritsis said on Monday there was no finalized timetable for further returns this week, as the examination of asylum requests would take some time. On average, the Greek government seeks to assess all bids within two weeks.
By Monday, more than half of the people accommodated at hot spots had filed asylum requests, Greek government sources told Xinhua.
Frustration, disappointment, anxiety and pain were overwhelming at Moria hospitality center near the Mytilene port.
Syrian refugee Mustafa and his family of six paid a total of 9,000 U.S. dollars to traffickers in order to cross the Aegean Sea and reach Lesvos only to find out that they would most likely be sent back.
Meanwhile, despite the reinforcement of Greek asylum agency officers with European specialized personnel under the EU-Turkey deal over the past few days, the Greek government said the European pledges had still not been fully met and there was still a shortage of staff to complete the process quickly.
Greek officials have also voiced doubts as to whether Turkish authorities would take all the necessary measures to combat the smuggler rings which continue to send refugees on boats to Greece.
On Monday, as the "Nazli Jale" was sailing to Dikili, a Greek Coast Guard vessel was transferring to Mytilene port 57 refugees and migrants who had been rescued during operations off Lesvos coasts earlier in the morning.
According to the latest official estimates by the Greek government, from Sunday evening to Monday at noon 74 people reached Lesvos from Turkey, 89 arrived on Chios island, and Samos island, three.
Under the agreement, for each rejected migrant or refugee application made in Greece, Turkey will send one Syrian refugee to European capitals as from Monday.
Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations expressed concern over the vagueness of the scheme, the uncertain futures of the people deported, and the effectiveness of the entire process.
"We still have not been provided with in-depth information on the implementation of the deal and how it will affect people," said Boris Cheshirkov, UNHCR spokesperson for Lesvos island.
