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Observatories

ECRE on the situation for refugees in Greece: About Time Too

"At the EU-Turkey border the situation remains alarming, and ECRE continued to speak out against the actions of the Greek government and the apparent support from the EU’s political leadership, and to promote the alternative response set out in our statement and urged by Greek NGOs. It is a relief though to see some signs of a change in approach.

Date

16 March 2020

Topics

Borders and frontiers

Institution

European Union (EU)

Region

Greece Turkey

Tags

10-16 March 2020 2020 Immigration and asylum in Europe

"At the EU-Turkey border the situation remains alarming, and ECRE continued to speak out against the actions of the Greek government and the apparent support from the EU’s political leadership, and to promote the alternative response set out in our statement and urged by Greek NGOs. It is a relief though to see some signs of a change in approach.

On Thursday, Commissioner Johansson gave an interview to the Guardian which contained a warning to Greece on the need to respect the right to asylum; this was – hopefully – followed by a presentation of these warnings in person during her visit to the country.

Separately, the Commission announced a plan to relocate to other Member States 1600 children from the Greek islands, a very welcome initiative, and one that ECRE and others have supported for years… All these developments are though just the first steps towards a positive and rights-based approach from Europe; following through on it will require the following.“

Weekly Editorial: About Time Too (link)

See also: EU to take in some child migrants stuck in Greece (BBC News, link):

“Five EU countries [Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal] have agreed to take in some migrant children who are stuck in Greece, amid continuing tension on the Greek-Turkish border.“