The European Commission responded on Thursday 14 July to a letter sent by the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties on the issue of pushbacks in Greece.
This letter, revealed by Politico, led the Greek Minister of Migration to come and explain himself to the Committee (see EUROPE 12980/7).
In its response, the Commission recalls that it received commitments from Athens on 30 June, including to allow investigations following allegations from the press or NGOs, and pledges to continue working with the Greek authorities.
“At the same time, it is important to recognise that unauthorised crossing is often facilitated by criminal networks of smugglers who do not hesitate to put the life of migrants at risk”, it writes. Such abuses are on the rise, the Commission said, indicating that improving external border management is “a priority”.
“The Commission’s response is shameful. Blaming the smugglers and trusting the Greek authorities to carry out ‘independent’ controls through the National Transparency Authority is deliberately ignoring the reality on the ground”, reacted Cornelia Ernst (The Left, German).
Greece has a legal obligation to rescue, ensure access to the asylum procedure and provide dignified reception conditions. “It is high time the Commission finally took infringement measures”, she added.
See the Commission’s response: https://aeur.eu/f/2nx (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)