Greece ‘Pushes Back’ Refugees with Gas Bombs and Pressurized Water

* Photo: Ayça Söylemez - Pazarkule / Edirne

Click to read the article in Turkish

A delegation from the Refugee Rights Study Group of İstanbul Bar Association Human Rights Center was at Pazarkule Border Gate in Turkey's northwestern province of Edirne yesterday (March 8) and monitored the latest situation at Turkey-Greece border.

Meeting refugees waiting at the border in their tents, the delegation also spoke with the authorities from the Directorate General of Migration Management, Edirne Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, Edirne Bar Association, international institutions in the field and representatives from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

Visiting Edirne Sultan 1. Murat State Hospital as well, the delegation also met the one who were pushed back and wounded by the border units of Greece while attempting to cross into the country.

CLICK - Refugees: It's Not About Crossing the Border, But Staying

CLICK - 'They Take Our Money, Beat and Send us Back to Turkey'

'Number of refugees on the decrease, facility set up for children'

The delegation has documented its observations in a report. The following findings have been shared by the delegation:

* The number of people who are waiting at and around the Edirne Pazarkule border gate has decreased. The ones still waiting there have set up the tents that they bought themselves.

* The NGOs and state authorities keep on handing out food together.

* The number of mobile toilets in the area has increased.

* An international organization has set up a child-friendly facility in the area.

* Those who want to leave the area and to return to the provinces where they are registered in Turkey are supported with busses free of charge so that they can get back to İstanbul.

* The security measures have been increased by state authorities.

* Throughout our visit to the ground zero of the border gate, the authorities of Greece tried to prevent crossings with gas bombs and pressurized water. (AS/SD)