The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against Greece in a landmark immigration case for illegally deporting a Turkish migrant and accused the nation of employing systematic “pushback” practices
Why It Matters
The ECHR is an international court based in Strasbourg, France, that adjudicates human rights violations by 46 member states of the Council of Europe, a body older than the European Union and its predecessor, the European Economic Community.
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Tuesday’s ruling could set a precedent for how EU states manage their borders amid rising migration flows at a time when Greece and several European Union member states are seeking tougher immigration controls.
The court’s ruling also highlighted the broader issue of systemic “pushback” practices. Pushbacks, a term for the summary expulsion of migrants without due process, have long been criticized by human rights advocates
What To Know
The Strasbourg-based court awarded €20,000 ($21,000) in damages to a Turkish woman, identified only as A.R.E., who was expelled from Greece in 2019 without the chance to apply for asylum.
“The court considered that there were strong indications to suggest that there had existed, at the time of the events alleged, a systematic practice of ‘pushbacks’ of third-country nationals by the Greek authorities, from the Evros region (on the Greek border) to Turkey,” the decision said.
Tuesday’s ruling amplifies concerns over the legality and ethics of such operations, particularly as migration pressures mount. Greece alone registered over 60,000 illegal arrivals of migrants in 2024, a nearly 50 percent spike from the previous year.
While A.R.E.’s case succeeded, the court dismissed a similar claim by an Afghan migrant who alleged he was deported as a minor in 2020. Critics argue this outcome exposes gaps in accountability.
Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a lawyer representing the Afghan applicant, denounced the decision as “profoundly unjust,” accusing Greece of employing blanket denials to escape liability.
What Has Greece Said
The ruling also highlights diverging perspectives on Greece’s border policies. Greek officials maintain that their practices comply with international law, dismissing allegations of misconduct.
A 2022 investigation by Greece’s National Transparency Authority found no evidence of illegal pushbacks. However, the United Nations and major human rights groups continue to urge deeper probes into repeated claims of irregular deportations.
What People Are Saying
Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a member of the legal team for the Afghan migrant told The Associated Press: “It is quite unjust that such a cynical position of blanket denial can serve in practice to shield the Greek government from accountability.”
What Happens Next
Amid Greece’s immigration case, the country also seeks direct funding from the EU to pay for the planned expansion of a border wall along the land frontier with Turkey.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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