A Crisis Between Borders

(Disclaimer: La Tonique Media LLC does not represent any political ideology. While we do not espouse any political beliefs, we do seek to provide a balance perspective by incorporating voices from both sides of the political spectrum.)

By Elaine Sanderson

A broken deal has resulted in thousands waiting in inhumane conditions at the Greek-Turkish border. Their intention being to cross into Europe. In late February, 2020, Turkey opened their borders. An influx of migrants and refugees soon arrived at the Greek border expecting to be let in, which has not been the reality. What exactly is going on at the Greek border? 

In 2015, in an effort to escape conflict and find a better life, more than one million people crossed into Europe. The sudden influx sparked a crisis, both humanitarian and political. Two routes were accessible: departing Libya embarking on a dangerous journey (central Mediterranean) attempting to reach the Italian shore, or the safer, Eastern Mediterranean route referring to the sea crossing from Turkey to Greece. According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 3,770 migrants were reported to have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2015, the majority of these were crossing from the central route. 

Europe, aware of the sudden influx, began to close their borders. Far-right parties saw a popularity surge with a rise of nationalism throughout Europe. Kenneth Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch said the migrant crisis was one of “politics, not capacity”. As the political climate deteriorated and the number of migrant and refugee arrivals continued to climb, European leaders started to put pressure on Turkey. This resulted in an agreement: all migrants arriving in Greece, were to be sent back to Turkey. In return, Turkey expected “re-energized” talks regarding EU membership and €3bn in aid to help the displacement of Syrian refugees within the country. 

At the end of February 2020, Turkey said it would no longer honor the deal, choosing to open its borders. Buses from Istanbul transported Syrian and Afghan migrants to stretches of land between Greece and Turkey. In recent years, Turkey warned of the posed risk to migrants and refugees, fearing the situation was getting out of control. Over a million were displaced following a series of attacks of the Idlib province of Syria where 33 Turkish soldiers were also killed. Europe, in its silence, implies that Turkey should be the one to bear the humanitarian burden for the catastrophic consequences of the conflict. President Erdogan said Turkey could no longer handle the numbers fleeing the war. He accused European leaders of not keeping to their promise of helping Turkey with the millions of Syrians refugees.

Upon their arrival to the Greek border, migrants and refugees are being detained. Initially stating these were quarantine measures to protect against the coronavirus pandemic, held without appropriate healthcare provisions and placed in unsanitary conditions, evidently this is not the case. The camps are a haven for the virus to spread. In reality, Greek authorities are detaining migrants because of their immigration status. There is limited access to water, electricity and hygiene products within the camps. Detainees are often mixed with other families in crowded tents. 

On March 26th, the Greek parliament ratified a government decree suspending access to asylum for 30 days for people who irregularly entered the country. It called for new arrivals, where possible, to be immediately deported to their country of origin. As of yet, no deportations have taken place due to Turkey’s reluctance towards taking back any deportees. Rather, the Greek authorities have rounded up at least 1,974 people who arrived in Greece as of March 1st and transferred them to two detention centers. This has proven to cause a crisis within itself. 

Fires have destroyed camp Moira on the island of Lesbos, leaving 13,000 homeless, allegedly started by camp residents protesting the overcrowded conditions. Germany’s interior minister Horst Seehofer said the fires at Moira were a “sharp reminder to all of us for what we need to change in Europe”. The fires uncovered the Covid-19 situation within the camps. At least 240 tested positive after 7,000 tests were conducted at the Kara Tepe camp.

Riot police clashing with migrants outside of a refugee camp in Diavata.

(Sakis Mitrolidis | AFP via Getty Images)

The arrivals didn’t come without nearby hostility. Local island authorities expect asylum seekers to be moved to the mainland and dispersed across Europe, despite EU countries keeping their borders tightly sealed. Residents have fought consistent battles with armed officers in opposition to a scheme that many fear will bring an increase of arrivals.

An element of international refugee law, the principle of non-refoulement, states that a country should not push people seeking asylum back to unsafe countries. This is exactly what Greece is trying to do. Hostility stretches to the Greek authorities who have responded using inhumane measures that violate EU and international law. They have resorted to firing tear gas and repelling dinghies trying to reach the shore. 22-year-old Mohamed El-Arab died on March 2nd after being hit by a rubber bullet. With Europe’s borders closed, Greece refusing to take them in and Turkey not allowing their return, it’s uncertain where such a large group of people are meant to settle -- an indicator of a failed asylum system. 

However, the above response is not consistent throughout Europe. Thousands recently protested in Germany calling for the EU to take in migrants that had been affected by the fires. Demonstrators gathered across Germany holding signs that read “Shame on EU” and “Leaving no one behind”. Although Germany agreed to take in 1,500 migrants post-blaze, the majority of European countries are condoning the violence at the border by saying nothing at all. 

Ultimately, whilst Greece is the gateway to Europe that migrants and refugees wish for, they face either being sent back to Turkey or more dangerously, their country of origin, often war torn. Turkey may seem like a safe compromise but Amnesty assures this is not the case. In the case of Syrian refugees, only 1.5% have work permits. Furthermore, only Europeans are able to apply for refugee status. 

Migrants and refugees have been pushed back by Greek and EU authorities, detained in unsanitary camps and stuck in ‘no man’s land’. A temporary home should not be one filled with unlivable conditions. Europe must stand together and resettle those who seek a better life. 

Elaine is a political writer for La Tonique. You can follow Elaine on Twitter @sando_99.