Türkiye's AK Party demands international probe into Greek pushback of migrants

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The spokesperson for Türkiye's Justice and Development (AK) Party on Monday slammed Greece’s illegal and life-threatening policy of migrant pushbacks.

Last week, a boat sinking off the coast of southwestern Greece left at least 80 irregular immigrants dead – mostly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria – and 500 others missing in the Mediterranean Sea, feared drowned​​​.

According to human rights watchdogs, the Greek Coast Guard might have ignored SOS signals from the boat, while some survivors say the coast guard might have tried to tow the boat into Italian waters.

“There should now be an international investigation commission and a team of international observers to carry out observations in that region,” spokesman Omer Celik said after a meeting of the party's Central Executive Board (MYK).

The Greek Coast Guard, employing both uniformed and non-uniformed individuals, intentionally punctures migrant boats and leaves them to their fate, aiming to push them towards either Turkish or Italian waters, Celik added.

“The actions carried out by the Greek Coast Guard now need to be investigated as direct acts of crimes against humanity. They are trying to kill people, and they are killing them,” Celik stressed.

Condemning those who remain silent and turn a blind eye to these actions, Celik said, "This is unfortunately a shameful hypocrisy, a double standard. The Greek Coast Guard is turning the Mediterranean into a migrant graveyard in front of everyone's eyes."

Human rights groups and media outlets have frequently reported on illegal pushbacks and other human rights breaches by Greek authorities.

Türkiye and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice of pushing back irregular migrants, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.