Over a three-year period, the Greek coastguard has been implicated in the deaths of dozens of migrants in the Mediterranean, according to witness accounts and a BBC investigation. Among these tragic incidents, nine individuals were reportedly thrown into the sea deliberately by the coastguard.
Deliberate Actions and Fatalities
The BBC's analysis reveals that more than 40 migrants have died as a result of being forcibly removed from Greek territorial waters or being taken back out to sea after reaching Greek islands. These findings stem from incidents dating from May 2020 to 2023, primarily reported by local media, NGOs, and the Turkish coastguard.
One of the most harrowing accounts comes from a Cameroonian man who landed on the Greek island of Samos in September 2021. He described being captured by Greek authorities and witnessing the murder of his companions. "They threw him in the water... Slowly his hand slipped under, and the water engulfed him," he recounted.
Witness Testimonies and Evidence
The investigation uncovered footage showing 12 migrants being loaded onto a Greek coastguard boat and subsequently abandoned on a dinghy. When shown this footage, a former senior Greek coastguard officer acknowledged the illegality of the act, describing it as "an international crime."
Despite the Greek coastguard's strong rejection of these allegations, evidence suggests a pattern of illegal pushbacks. Migrants reported being placed on inflatable rafts that deflated or appeared punctured, leaving them stranded at sea.
Challenges in Verification
Verifying these incidents is challenging, as witnesses often disappear or fear retribution. However, the BBC corroborated several accounts through eyewitness testimonies. In one case, a survivor's lawyers are demanding a double murder investigation after he survived being thrown overboard, while the bodies of his companions were later found on the Turkish coastline.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
The Greek government has long faced accusations of forced returns, or pushbacks, to Turkey, actions that violate international law. The BBC's documentary, "Dead Calm: Killing in the Med?", highlights the fatal consequences of these practices, urging a reevaluation of policies and accountability for those responsible.
The deaths of migrants in the Mediterranean due to the Greek coastguard's actions underscore the dire need for adherence to international humanitarian standards. As investigations continue, the international community must address these grave violations to prevent further loss of life.
Source: BBC
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