Greece has faced allegations that its coast guard is preventing migrants from reaching Greek shores, leading to several deaths. A report by the BBC detailed incidents in which 43 migrants drowned, including nine who were thrown into the water, off the country’s eastern Aegean Sea islands between 2020 and 2023. The Greek government denied the accusations, stating that there was no evidence to support the claims. Greece serves as a major gateway for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia who are seeking a better life in the European Union, often arriving in small boats from neighboring Turkey.
Relations between Greece and Turkey are often strained, with accusations of mistreatment of migrants levelled against both countries’ coast guards. Migrant charities and human rights groups have accused Greece of illegally preventing migrants from seeking asylum by returning them to Turkish waters. However, Greece has defended its actions, stating that their border forces have saved many migrants from sinking boats. Despite these allegations, Greece continues to deny any wrongdoing, claiming that every complaint is investigated and the findings made public.
In June 2023, Greece faced criticism after a fishing vessel carrying an estimated 750 people sank off southwestern Greece, resulting in the deaths of many on board. Survivors claimed that the Greek coast guard’s attempt to tow the vessel led to its sinking, though Greek authorities denied these allegations. The new BBC report included testimonies from migrants who claimed that they were mistreated by the Greek coast guard. A Cameroonian man alleged that he and two others were picked up by masked men, including policemen, and thrown into the sea, resulting in the drowning of two men. Another survivor from Syria recounted being left adrift in Turkish waters in a life raft by the Greek coast guard, leading to several deaths before being rescued by the Turkish coast guard.
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis stated that it was incorrect to target the Greek coast guard and that every report and investigation is monitored. He reiterated that the claims made in the BBC report were not supported by evidence. Greece continues to face accusations of mistreating migrants and denying them the right to seek asylum. The ongoing tensions between Greece and Turkey contribute to the challenges faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe through Greece’s borders. Despite these challenges, Greece remains steadfast in its denial of any wrongdoing and continues to defend the actions of its border forces.
