Vluchtelingen in de haven van Athene

Greek appeals committee: Turkey not safe for Syrians

More Syrians who this week in Athens appealed being sent back to Turkey saw their appeal upheld. Greek Minister of Immigration Policy Mouzalas tells Nieuwsuur. “In four or five cases of a refugee appealing, the commission decided Turkey was not safe.” This development worries the Minister. “This can turn out to be a difficult situation for Greece.”

Mouzalas may decide to appeal these rulings. Whether he will, is still unclear. “Legal advisors for the government are at present examining the rulings.”

'Dit kan Griekenland in een ingewikkelde situatie brengen'

Inner circle

Last week a Syrian asylum seeker on Lesbos had his appeal against being sent back to Turkey upheld.

One of the best known human rights lawyers in Greece, Gianna Kourtovik, is very familiar with the present asylum procedures. She tells Nieuwsuur that only the inner circle in Greece knows about the new rulings concerning the appeals.

One of the best known human rights lawyers in Greece, Gianna Kourtovik, is very familiar with the present asylum procedures. She tells Nieuwsuur that only the inner circle in Greece knows about the new rulings concerning the appeals.

Hope

Kourtovik thinks that, behind the scenes, Greek does its utmost to send back at least a few Syrians to Turkey to indicate that the EU-Turkey migrant deal is viable. “I hear there is a lot of pressure on the Greek appeals committee that reviews requests for asylum.”

Syrian refugees in Greece tell Nieuwsuur they find the fact that deportations seem illegal a very hopeful sign.

Deel artikel:

Advertentie via Ster.nl