Migrants were reportedly taken on inflatable life rafts and abandoned by Greek authorities.
Nearly 1,072 migrants were taken on rafts to the outskirts of Greek territorial waters and then abandoned, according to the New York Times.
Based on evidence from different sources, from academic researchers, Turkish Coast Guard and independent watch groups, there have been at least 31 incidents due to these deportations in recent months.
Najma al-Khatib, a 50-year-old Syrian teacher told The Times that on July 26, she and 22 others, including babies, were taken away by masked Greek officials from a detention center on the island. of Rhodes when it was dark. She also told the newspaper that they were left on a "life raft without a rudder or engine" and were subsequently rescued by the Turkish coast guard. "It was very inhuman. I left Syria for fear of the bombing – but when it happened, I wished I had died under a bomb," she added.
I left Syria for fear of the bombing – but when it happened I wished I had died under a bomb
The Guardian last month reported that Greece was preparing to face an increase in the number of migrants from Turkey after the country arrested six smugglers. Since the beginning of the year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to release hundreds of thousands of refugees in Europe in the midst of tension between Turkey and the European Union. The European border agency has claimed that Mr Erdogan's threats sparked additional defense along Greece's land and sea borders, the Guardian reported.
"These refoulements are completely illegal in all their aspects, in international law and in European law," François Crépeau, former United Nations special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and professor of law at the Faculty of Law, told The Times. McGill University law. "It's a humanitarian and human rights disaster," confirmed the specialist.
On the Greek side, there is no question of illegality. "The Greek authorities do not engage in clandestine activities," said government spokesman Stelios Petsas. "Greece has a proven track record of respecting international law, conventions and protocols. This includes the treatment of refugees and migrants."
To go further: Teresa Maffeis, activist: "Humanity is a duty. Let's help migrants come out with their heads held high"