Wikström (FP): Syrian refugees - Greece must comply with international obligations

Press release from the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament

Cecilia Wikstrom MEP, the Coordinator for the ALDE Group on the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee, has today warned Greece that it must comply with its international obligations to accept and process asylum applications from the increasing number of Syrian refugees who are risking their lives to reach Europe.

Speaking out today, Cecilia Wikstrom MEP said:

“It is completely unacceptable and contrary to international law that Syrian refugees attempting to reach Europe continue to be sent back to Turkey by the Greek coast guard and border police without having a chance to submit an asylum application.”

Cecilia Wikström today calls on EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to immediately put pressure on Greece to end this practice:

“I hope Commissioner Avramopolous will condemn this behaviour and follow the example set by his predecessor, Cecilia Malmström, who immediately put pressure on Member States when such unacceptable abuses were discovered.”
“The number of refugees seeking safety in Europe is likely to increase again this year, which is why we must urgently find a European solution to this crisis.”