Greece prepares to implement new migrant deal
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 April 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Greece prepares to implement new migrant deal, 3 April 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5768ffd925.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
April 03, 2016
A Syrian refugee arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos
Greece is preparing to begin sending would-be migrants and refugees back to Turkey under the terms of a controversial deal struck last month between Ankara and the European Union.
Greece's ANA state news agency reported on April 3 that about 750 failed asylum seekers are expected to be sent from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Turkish port of Dikili sometime between April 5 and 7.
Frontex, the EU's border-control agency, has hired two Turkish ships for the transfer, which the United Nations has said is illegal.
Turkey is rushing to prepare refugee centers to receive the migrants, who are mostly from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
More than 1 million refugees and migrants entered Europe in 2015 and more than 150,000 have reached Greece so far this year.
Austrian President Heinz Fischer said on April 2 that he was concerned about human-rights problems in Turkey and was concerned the deal would not stop the inflow of migrants to Europe.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
