On Friday 20 January, the European Commission defended its actions concerning the impact on the fundamental rights of migrants of the implementation of the EU/Turkey agreement of March 2016 aiming to manage the migration crisis (see EUROPE 11515).
In the wake of the criticism levelled by the European Ombudsman (see EUROPE 11707), who argues that the Commission is not meeting its obligations, the European institution stressed that it was already regularly monitoring the implementation of the agreement, as one of the key principles is that all migrants are protected, in line with the relevant international standards and the principle of non-refoulement.
The Commission responded by saying that in order to guarantee full respect of Community and international law, it is working closely with the Greek and Turkish authorities, which have taken a number of legislative and administrative measures. It goes on to stress that all returns of illegal migrants are carried out in full respect of Community and international law and that all individuals arriving in Greece are entitled to have their asylum applications processed individually. It also notes that all returns of illegal migrants and asylum seekers are carried out in full respect Community and international law.
The Commission is working closely with the Greek and Turkish authorities and NGOs to ensure that all necessary legal guarantees are upheld in the implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement, it went on to stress. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)