Simply now
By Nikos Papanikolaou & Phelan Chatterjee, BBC Information
Greece’s important opposition celebration is demanding an investigation after a BBC report which discovered the coastguard had prompted dozens of migrant deaths over three years, in keeping with witnesses.
9 migrants had been mentioned to have been thrown into the water intentionally.
Syriza’s immigration coverage chief mentioned: “We demand in-depth investigation, we demand solutions, we demand accountability, and the explanation we do it’s this.
“We care about all human life, and we can’t get used to the lack of human life.”
Giorgos Psychogios advised the BBC his centre-left celebration had referred to as for accountability over coastguard incidents for years, after many reviews from worldwide establishments and organisations.
He accused the federal government of calling his celebration “anti-Greek”, “Erdogan brokers” and “provocateurs” for asking these questions.
A authorities spokesperson insisted the BBC’s claims had not been confirmed, however harassed that each criticism can be checked and conclusions drawn.
The coastguard “saves dozens of human lives each day”, Pavlos Marinakis advised reporters, including it was “improper to focus on them”.
“Actuality… has constantly refuted these claims for too a few years.
“And, in truth, too many occasions prior to now we’ve seen Greeks being those behind the try and slander the nation.”
A BBC group confirmed footage beforehand printed by the New York Instances of 12 folks being loaded right into a Greek coastguard boat, after which deserted on a dinghy, to a former senior Greek coastguard officer. When he received up from his chair, and together with his mic nonetheless on, he mentioned it was “clearly unlawful” and “a global crime”.
The Greek authorities has lengthy been accused of compelled returns – pushing folks again in direction of Turkey, the place they’ve crossed from, which is unlawful underneath worldwide legislation.
However that is the primary time the BBC has calculated the variety of incidents which allege that fatalities occurred on account of the Greek coastguard’s actions.
The 15 incidents analysed – dated Might 2020-23 – resulted in 43 deaths. The preliminary sources had been primarily native media, NGOs and the Turkish coastguard.
Lifeless Calm: Killing within the Med?
In June 2023, an overloaded trawler flips in entrance of a Greek coast guard patrol boat. Greater than 600 males, ladies and kids die within the water. However who’s accountable, and are the coast guard at fault?
Watch on iPlayer or on BBC Two at 21:00 on Monday 17 June.
Human Rights Watch described the BBC’s findings as a “notably horrifying addition to mounting and credible allegations in opposition to Greek authorities”.
The organisation referred to as for a full investigation to “serve justice to victims and to interrupt the cycle of violence and impunity at Greece’s borders”.
In the meantime, social democratic opposition celebration Pasok mentioned the BBC report “causes cheap curiosity and concern for doable unlawful actions” of the coastguard.
“We await the responses of the authorities,” mentioned MP Athanasios Glavinas. “Respect for human life and worth is non-negotiable.”
The Greek Council for Refugees advised the BBC that pushbacks had been a “de facto coverage for Greece” and joined requires the federal government and EU to provoke an investigation.