Humanitarian Governance

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) expresses serious concerns over the continuous deterioration of the situation for migrants and refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos, where there have been numerous allegations/reports of exposure to violence, such as abductions and pushbacks, detention and deprivation of food and shelter. MSF calls on Greek authorities to investigate reports of hundreds of missing migrants – assumed to be forcibly pushed back to sea – and to implement safe and dignified reception conditions for those who remain on the island.

JOINT STATEMENT BY LEGAL CENTRE LESVOS, BORDERLINE-EUROPE, CAN’T EVICT SOLIDARITY AND AEGEAN MIGRANT SOLIDARITY
Since 2015, with the increased arrivals of boats coming from Turkey to Greece, thousands of people have faced charges, and people accused or convicted of human smuggling now make up the second largest prison population in Greece. The prosecution of A.B. is unfortunately not unique, as the targeting of migrants as smugglers has become a part of migration management in Greece, and throughout Europe.

The case of ‘ERCI and others’ is part of a series of prosecutions happening in the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea that aim to criminalize solidarity and the rescue of migrants. However, this particular case stands out in that the defendants are seeking to stand trial in every way possible, and the court, five years later, is denying it.