The agreement between the European Union (EU) and Turkey on managing migration has failed. According to the aid organization Doctors Without Borders, more than 35,000 people live in total chaos and without any dignity on Greek islands four years after the refugee pact. Doctors Without Borders calls on the European Union for a radical revision of its refugee policy.
The situation is comparable to the worst camps in the world. These camps must be closed immediately and the people must be brought to the European mainland,” said chairman Christos Christou following a visit to the islands of Lesbos and Samos.
The problem of illegal migration from Africa and the Middle East to Europe has dragged on for years, primarily affecting countries located on the Mediterranean, such as Italy and Greece. Once arriving in these countries, the right to free movement applies, and migrants attempt to travel on to other European countries.
The controversial deal between Turkey and the EU was supposed to end this. Since that deal, migrants are no longer allowed free movement after arriving in Greece. While awaiting the processing of their asylum applications, migrants must now remain in centers on the Greek islands. Additionally, Turkey pledged to take back migrants who entered Europe illegally via Turkey.
However, due to the massive influx of migrants to the Greek islands, these centers are now overcrowded. Today, more than 34,000 migrants reportedly reside in asylum centers on the islands, whereas the centers have a total capacity to accommodate 6,300 people. This regularly results in severe riots and disturbances.
The aid organization Doctors Without Borders urges the European Union to intervene. According to them, the deal with Turkey is a complete failure. “Four years after the refugee pact, 35,000 people live in total chaos and without any dignity on the Greek islands,” said international chairman Christos Christou.
There is a lot of crime in the overcrowded camps, but victims are being abandoned, Doctors Without Borders points out. “Not only are these people not helped, their condition is also deteriorating,” said Christou. “This has nothing to do anymore with humanity, a principle of the EU.”