Videos show physical abuse against people seeking protection by Croatian officials

Videos have  shown physical abuse against people seeking protection by Croatian officials.

Seebrücke International disclosed this on its X handle.

Narrating the predicament of a Syrian refugee, Seebrücke International said: “In 2018, Syrian refugee Sami Barkal tried to reach Europe via the Balkan route. In November, he arrived at the Bosnian-Croatian border with a group of people on the move, as the youngest-he was a minor at the time-he was supposed to go to the back in case the group was stopped.

“It was not the first time he had tried to cross the border; he had already been illegally pushed back during an attempt in October. When he heard screams, he began filming hidden in a bush, and a short time later three men with wounds to the head and broken ribs came into view.

“This was one of the first videos to show physical abuse against people seeking protection by Croatian officials.With the support of the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, the case is now being brought before the European Court of Human Rights.

“The allegations against the Croatian authorities: Collective expulsion, the fleeing people had no opportunity to apply for asylum or explain their reasons, and even minors – like Barkal – were pushed back without evaluating the risks.

“We hope that it will finally be officially recognised that Sami Barkal’s rights were disregarded and that there will be consequences for the Croatian authorities! #FightFortressEurope! No pushback is legal!”