Greek border: Asylum seekers appeal for path to Europe

By Cihan Demirci

EDIRNE, Turkey (AA) - Women and children asylum seekers protested Greece's refusal to allow their passage to Europe in front of the country's border gate with northwestern Turkey.

Marching towards Greece's Kastanies gate across a buffer zone with Turkey's border gate Pazarkule in Edirne province, members of the group held up signs reading "Open the gate."

They chanted: "Greece, open the gate" and "Help us."

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Iranian national Sevda Naruzi said Greece used tear gas canisters to stop the women and children from entering the country, adding: "There are deaths, and many injured, including my brother and friends. The European Union shall hear our voice. I want to go to England."

Afghan national Najla Amani said that she wanted to go to Europe to live in better conditions.

"I want to complete my education in France. This is our right. Greece cannot treat us like this," Amani added.

In the two weeks since asylum seekers were able to reach the border, nearly 2,500 have been wounded by measures used by Greek border guards.

Late last month, accusing the EU of failing to uphold its half of the 2016 migrant deal and warning of a million more refugees in Idlib, Syria poised to cross its border, Turkey stopped trying to block asylum seekers from reaching the Greek border by land.

The Greek reaction to asylum seekers has been harsh, with thousands battered, attacked, or tear-gassed by Greek forces, and several killed.

With 3.7 million Syrian migrants in Turkey already, more than any other country in the world, Ankara says it cannot absorb another refugee wave.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan