In a joint investigation with @LHReports @DerSpiegel @ARDde @tv_asahi_news and research and reporting by @EmmanFre, we have uncovered evidence that the European border force @Frontex is complicit in illegal “pushback” operations in the Aegean.
bellingcat.com/news/2020/10/2…
bellingcat.com/news/2020/10/2…
Pushbacks are when refugees and migrants are forced back over a border without consideration of individual circumstances & without possibility to apply for asylum or appeal.
We have previously written about one such pushback in detail.
bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-eu…
We have previously written about one such pushback in detail.
bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-eu…
We spent months collecting data on @Frontex assets, where they were based & where they travelled.
We overlaid that with a database of reported pushbacks we gathered from @alarm_phone, Consolidated Rescue Group and Monitoring Rescue Cell.
We overlaid that with a database of reported pushbacks we gathered from @alarm_phone, Consolidated Rescue Group and Monitoring Rescue Cell.
We then compared the data to find incidents of interest.
We identified 4 incidents in which Frontex assets were in proximity to a reported pushback. In these cases we concluded that the signature of a pushback would likely have been visible either on radar or visually.
We identified 4 incidents in which Frontex assets were in proximity to a reported pushback. In these cases we concluded that the signature of a pushback would likely have been visible either on radar or visually.
This signature typically involves multiple vessels from both Turkish & Greek coastguards. Instead of trying to rescue people, both have been observed making doughnut manoeuvres, creating waves that push the dinghy into opposing territorial water.
Indeed, they can even be seen from space.
Thanks to @planetlabs for this image of a pushback in progress on August 15.
Thanks to @planetlabs for this image of a pushback in progress on August 15.
However, in two incidents @frontex assets would certainly have been aware of a pushback taking place.
In one incident on August 15th, Romanian Frontex vessel MAI1102 was photographed a few hundred meters away from a pushback in progress.
In one incident on August 15th, Romanian Frontex vessel MAI1102 was photographed a few hundred meters away from a pushback in progress.
And on 8th June, a different vessel, MAI1103, physically blocked another dinghy from reaching land. They were also observed manoeuvring past the dinghy at speed, generating waves.
After they had left, the Greek coastguard took over.
After they had left, the Greek coastguard took over.
This is the first time @frontex has been recorded participating in a pushback by physically blocking a dinghy.
A legal expert told us that if Frontex stopped an overcrowded dinghy they'd be obliged to rescue its occupants immediately.
"If they don't do that, even make waves instead, drive away and then let the Greeks do the dirty work - then they are involved in the illegal pushback.”
"If they don't do that, even make waves instead, drive away and then let the Greeks do the dirty work - then they are involved in the illegal pushback.”
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
