Bad weather, violence and ongoing movements in the Aegean
Despite stormy weather and attempts of the European leaders to prevent them from coming, refugees continue to cross the Mediterranean and are able to reach Europe, especially from Turkey. According to UNHCR estimates, about 9,942 refugees, mostly from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, arrived in Greece from Turkey in the second week of March.[1]
While the EU has pressured Turkey to accept a relocation plan that would make it possible for the EU to return persons that have reached Europe to Turkey – a plan, that clearly violates international human rights conventions – the incidents of violence at various locations along the south-eastern European borders multiply: Several sources have reported that the Turkish coastguard used violence against travellers[2] , trying to hinder people from crossing by attacking their boats and burning their life-vests.[3] Also at the Greek-Macedonian border persons on the move have had to face violence by border guards, adding to the hardship they face during their precarious journeys.