Evros, the new deadly route to Europe

Since 2016 march, the signing of the agreement between the European Union and Turkey is forcing refugees to take increasingly dangerous routes to enter Europe, routes such as the crossing of the River Evros (northeast of Greece). In 2018, 35% of arrivals to Evros occurred through this route, three times more than the previous year, so "when a border closes, a longer and more dangerous route opens up". During this year, at least 39 people died trying to cross the river Evros.

The Greek Council for Refugees has collected dozens of testimonies from migrants and refugees who have been returned 'hot' to Turkey, a systematic practice that violates international law. In the video, Maryam, a 22-year-old Iranian refugee, says “When we tried to leave the forest and get to the city, the police arrested us and our phones were confiscated. They took us to the boats in groups and deported us to the other side."

In the film footage you can also see the work of Pavlos Pavlidis, a forensic specialist who collects DNA samples and personal items on the Turkish-Greek border, so that at some point they can be identified by family members.

On the third anniversary of the signing of the agreement between the European Union and Turkey, which legitimized expulsions to Turkey and offered 3.0000 million euros to the Turkish authorities to shield their maritime borders with Greece, both organizations highlight that the agreement has meant a reduction in arrivals to Greece. However, it has also meant that many refugees now choose a land route to reach Europe, and must cross the river Evros to get there.

In May 2016, CEAR filed a complaint against the agreement with the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the European Ombudsman for the violation of the rights of refugees. The complaint wassupported by 294 organizations and more than 12,000 individual signatures. As a result of this complaint, the Ombudsman recommended that the European Commission evaluate the impact of the agreement on human rights.

This film is part of the project that CEAR started in Greece together with the Greek Council for Refugees in 2016, funded by the Madrid City Council.

Video produced by the journalists Mikel Konate and Sarah Soulu on the Turkish-Greek border. Graphic design: Jaime Murciego. Edition: Celia Hernández. Music: "Exceter Lask" (Blue Dot Sessions) | "Smoldering" (Kai Engel)

[simonindra]

Not everyone is in Europe for the 💰 money

[ahmadshams]

I have crossed the same way and i was about to die

[TMPOUZI]

why all these people (except Syrians) aren't staying in their countries and try to fix them? Do they think that by flooding Europe, this will keep Europe healthy or capable of sustaining them too? Plus by fleeing their countries, those countries end up dying out or governed by terrorist groups. Europe must close their borders for years