The Greek Council for Refugees and the HumanRights360 organisation express their contentment for the rescue of the 30 Syrian refugees that have been confined on the islet of Evros’ river.
The refugees, amongst whom two pregnant women and seven minor children, did not have access to the necessary means for their survival. They did not have access to water, food, medical care, or any means to keep warm, and they were exposed to the cold and humidity on the small islet in the Evros’ river for six days. In the video sent to our organisations, it is reported that they were eating garbage leftovers on the islet by those who had previously crossed this path, while they reported the tragic drowning of the 4-year-old son of one of the refugees.
The refugees have been confined on the islet since Saturday night (12 March), and our organisations were informed about their situation on Monday from the Efsyn Newspaper, which provides daily updates on the issue. Since then, we have repeatedly appealed to the competent authorities, while on Wednesday, we succeeded in issuing interim measures (Rule 39) by the European Court of Human Rights that calls on the Greek authorities to address the issue.
Fortunately the Greek authorities’ attitude, that put the life and health of the refugees in immediate danger and allegedly contributed to the drowning of the 4-year-old child, has changed, and their adventure came to a positive end today with their transfer and their access to the legal procedures. Our organisations will undertake further legal assistance for the asylum process and for any rights violations of these six days on the islet.
Find more:
Eugenia Kouniaki, Legal Expert in HumanRights360, evgenia.kouniaki@humanrights360.org
Media Office Greek Council for Refugees:
Ira Papadopoulou, media@gcr.gr Tel : +30 210 3800990 [ext .102]/
