Asylum seekers in Greece face a grim reality

2024-02-03 20:04:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The Greek island of Samos is the scene of a grim reality for some of the asylum seekers who arrive on its shores but are forcibly returned to Turkey. PBS correspondent Malcolm Brabant went to Samos to document the horrific living conditions inside the island's overcrowded refugee camp and shed light on how they are treated by Greek authorities.

From the Greek island of Samos, the mountains belonging to Turkey can be seen in the background. Beautiful views hide a bitter reality.

It is difficult to talk to one of the refugees who arrive on the island and turn back, precisely because they are deported. But the PBS journalist managed to talk to one of them who came from Central Africa. He tells how he went to meet the woman who was sent back to Turkey but managed to get back to Samos via the Aegean Sea. Journalist Malcolm Brabant met him near the Samos refugee camp, which has deplorable conditions and is guarded by police who are distrustful of journalists and cameras.

The asylum seeker, who fled the conflict in her country, does not want to be identified, fearing the consequences.

"They took us on a road between the mountains, until we reached a port where we saw a big boat. There we realized that they were sending us back to Turkey. They put us on the boat. There were many waves. We were made to wear life jackets and told that they would hit us again if we didn't get on the boat. They threw small boxes of oranges at us. At that time, they came from Turkey to save us," she says.

Their return was under cover of darkness. The woman and other migrants were taken east of the island of Lesbos and abandoned near Turkish waters.

"We were on the boat for a long time. There were many waves. People were screaming. I got scared. I couldn't speak, I was dehydrated. They mistreated us and violated our human rights. I thought that if we came to their country to seek asylum, you would listen to us. But they killed that hope."

Former British Army officer Nick Waters is a digital analyst for Bellingcat, a website that uses public information from the Internet to expose international wrongdoing.

"It is impossible to cross the Aegean with these small life rafts."

Lawyer Dimitris Choulis from Samos represents the asylum seekers. He accuses Greece of committing violations on behalf of the European Union.

"They left them without water, with the babies with them, risking their lives. Our Greek Coast Guard commits these crimes," he says.

"I have to say that we could expect such a thing from a government like that of Russia, for example, but not from the government of a European country," says analyst Waters.

Asylum seekers are aware of Greece's position, but are not deterred by the threat of return or the difficult conditions on the Greek islands. The PBS reporter then goes to talk to a young Palestinian named Mohammed. The 25-year-old apparently swam over the weekend from Turkey to Samos. But since it is the weekend, he cannot be officially registered by the authorities. And he fears he might be sent back. Mohammed, a telecom specialist from Gaza, swam for eight hours straight. He recounts the insect bites he suffered while hiding in the woods.

"I have heard from many people and my friends that the Greek coast guard catches them, puts them back on the ship and returns them to Turkish waters. They don't allow them to seek asylum and they don't respect their legal rights."

Muhammad remained in hiding until the week began and, under the protection of the UN Refugee Agency, was officially registered and admitted to the refugee camp. From the same camp, the woman from Central Africa calls on the European Union to force Greece to adhere to the basic principles of the EU.

"Things have to change. Efforts must be made to save people. The waters are dangerous. It is difficult. They should listen to us, they should accept us, instead of throwing us into the sea".

She has nowhere to turn. Her parents were killed and her house was destroyed. Asylum is her only hope, but it is not a guarantee./ VOA