Masked men on Greek islands rob, beat, leave migrants helplessly drifting on sea

Masked men on Greek islands, robbed, beat, and left migrants helplessly drifting in the middle of the sea, Aegean Boat Report has alleged.

The organisation said while pressure has been mounting up against the Greek authorities systematic human rights violations in the Aegean Sea, pushbacks continues unhindered and unchallenged.”

Yesterday, Aegean Boat Report said 109 people, amongst them 21 small children, were found drifting in 7 life rafts in the Aegean Sea.

“Many of them kidnapped by masked men on Greek islands, robbed, beaten, and left helplessly drifting in the middle of the sea.

“Last week a group of 27 people was pushed back from the Greek island of Inousses, 8 of them drowned after the Greek Coast Guard left them drifting in a life raft, nobody is held accountable for their deaths.

“Hundreds of vulnerable men, women and children have been killed by Greek authorities in relation to pushbacks, supported and funded by the European Commission and Frontex.”

Continuing, Aegean Boat Report said”They know perfectly well what is taking place in this border area, the documentation is overwhelming, there is no longer any possible to plead ignorance, but the violence continues with their blessings.

“What would it take to force them to act, 650 people, hundreds of children, was killed in the Pylos shipwreck, it was obviously not enough, over a year has passed, and there has been no reaction from the European Commission, so what would it take?”

It added that it’s long overdue for the European Commission to take legal actions, infringement procedures, against the Greek authorities, impose financial sanctions and freeze all financial support, until it’s proven without any doubt that rule of law has been reinstated in Greece.

“Frontex’s Executive Director, Hans Leijtens, and the Management Board, are well aware of the situation in Greece, and can no longer ignore the systemic fundamental rights violations taking place on a daily basis. The Executive Director should invoke Article 46 of the Frontex Regulation, and suspend the agency’s operations in Greece.

“It’s time to say enough is enough, this is not what Europe stands for, this is not the European way of life, we can no longer allow this to be done in our name!

“I have taken my stand a long time ago, it’s now time for you to take yours!”