Socialist parties in Turkey, Greece demand action to prevent refugee deaths in Mediterranean

A Frontex boat and refugee boats in the Aegean Sea. (Photo: AA/File)

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Turkey's Labor Party (EMEP) and Greece's New Left Current for Communist Liberation (NAR) have issued a joint statement calling for an end to migrant and refugee deaths in the Mediterranean, a change in refugee policies, and the removal of barriers to asylum.

The statement highlights that the European Union's migration policy is causing new mass deaths every day, with a significant number of migration journeys from the Mediterranean ending in disaster during the summer months.

The recent tragedy on June 14 off the coast of Greece, where over 600 refugees are estimated to have lost their lives, is emphasized as a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis. The joint statement continues by condemning the agreements that lead to the deaths of migrants and calls for their cancellation: "European monopolies make agreements with countries like Turkey, Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco to detain migrants in those countries, offering them money they cannot refuse. These countries, in exchange for the money they receive from Europe, keep the majority of migrants from heading to Europe."

The statement further highlights the exploitation and illegal employment of migrant workers: "In these countries, migrant workers are employed without insurance, without unions, and for wages far below the minimum wage, effectively becoming modern-day slaves. This practice also lowers the wage levels for local workers. European employers select qualified migrants from these countries to compensate for labor shortages.

"The reason behind migration is the exploitation and impoverishment of the peoples of Asia and Africa by imperialism. It is only natural and just for the poor, unemployed, and those devastated by wars instigated by imperialists to migrate to Europe and North America. The argument that imperialist countries should store excessive numbers of migrants in neighboring countries to avoid destabilization and exploit them further is indefensible."

Refugee agreements

The statement calls for the cancellation of agreements such as border closures and readmission agreements with Turkey, Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco.

It demands the opening of borders for migrants heading to Europe and North America and equal rights for migrant workers in all countries hosting migrants. It emphasizes the need for enabling migrant workers to have the same working conditions as local workers. The joint statement concludes by demanding open borders and freedom of movement for refugees, the working class, and denouncing the Common European Asylum Policy.

"Let's fight to put an end to capitalist wars and interventions by powerful states. Let's fight for the common interests of the working class and the oppressed. Those responsible for migrant deaths must be held accountable. We unconditionally defend the rights of migrant workers and refugees. We declare our solidarity with migrant workers and refugees." (EMK/VK)