15/10/2024

EU urges Turkey to investigate refugee mistreatment in EU-funded centers

BRUSSELS — In response to reports of mistreatment of Syrian and Afghan refugees in Turkey, the European Union has called on Turkey to launch an investigation into these allegations. The call follows an extensive investigation by Lighthouse Reports which revealed systemic abuses in removal centers operated by the Turkish government and financed with €213 million in EU funds. These findings have ignited fresh controversy surrounding the 2016 EU-Turkey migration deal, signed at the height of the migrant crisis.

The EU urged Turkey to investigate accusations of abuse in EU-funded centers, as well as forced deportations of refugees to Afghanistan and Syria. Over the years, the EU has provided billions of euros to Turkey to manage migration flows, including funding for border security and asylum processing.

The Lighthouse Reports investigation revealed that many refugees had warned the European Commission about ongoing abuses, yet these warnings were reportedly ignored. The European Commission defended the funds allocated for removal centers, stating they fully adhered to EU and international standards.

Human rights organizations have long criticized the EU’s approach to migration. Amnesty International emphasized that outsourcing migration management to third countries does not absolve the EU of its responsibilities. They urged the European Commission to ensure that EU funds are not used to violate human rights.