Tag Archives: Mediterranean crossings

Amnesty: Doors should be opened to refugees held on the islands

Via Evrensel (Report in Turkish) – Amnesty International launched a campaign to end the refugee policy that holds refugees on the Greek islands. Because of the “Readmission Agreement” signed between the European Union and Turkey, the refugees who have been kept on Greek islands since 20 months and have not been given any permission to cross into mainland Greece, are trying to shelter in tents. They are exposed to the hardship when it comes to accessing basic needs such as clean water and health care services. Amnesty International Refugee Rights Coordinator Volkan Görendağ  states that Amnesty International is launching a campaign to make the Greek government end its policy on the islands and allow asylum seekers to move to mainland Greece.

The Memories of the Dead will not be erased with Black Paint

Via W2EU – In the night of the 24th of November 2017, by the harbour of Thermi on Lesvos Island, unidentified persons vandalised the memorial that we had erected there in 2013. It carries the names of those who had drowned on their journeys to Europe. Two wooden paddles hold the plaque with the names of the dead and the memorial looks out to the sea, dedicated to those of all ages and backgrounds, whose lives ended at sea. Continue reading The Memories of the Dead will not be erased with Black Paint

Turkish Family who died in the Aegean, attempted crossing by themselves

The German-Turkish online newspaper ‘Deutsch-Türkisches Journal’ (DTJ) reports (in German) that the Maden family, who lost their lives in the Aegean Sea while trying to reach safety in Greece, attempted to crossing by themselves. The family did not have enough money to pay a smuggler, so with their last funds and some borrowed money, Hüseyin Maden bought a small boat and decided to steer the boat himself to the Greek island of Lesvos. Continue reading Turkish Family who died in the Aegean, attempted crossing by themselves

10-year-old Afghan boy dies during migrant boat evacuation by Frontex vessel

Via Keep Talking Greece – A 10-year-old Afghan boy with disabilities was found dead in a boat carrying 66 migrants from Turkey to the island of Lesvos. The migrant boat was stopped by a Bulgarian Frontex vessel within the Greek territorial waters off Lesvos on Saturday morning. According to the parents, the boy was trampled by other passengers during the evacuation by the Frontex vessel. Continue reading 10-year-old Afghan boy dies during migrant boat evacuation by Frontex vessel

New migration routes: More than 3 thousand people went to Italy by crossing from Turkey

Via BBC Türkçe (Link in Turkish) – According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of immigrants from Libya to Italy by sea has decreased since last July after an agreement with Libya to stop migration towards Italy.

However, the closure of this route pushed immigrants to search for new routes. “As the number of people leaving Libya decreased, the rate of arrivals by sea from Tunisia, Turkey and Algeria to Italy increased”, according to the report.

Turkish Family Of Five Drowned In Aegean Sea As Trying To Flee From Erdoğan Regime’s Persecution

Around the 10th of November bodies of three children were washed ashore in Lesvos. A horrible scene that left the Greek authorities clueless as there were no records of a recent shipwreck. Now it seems that these lifeless bodies belong to a Turkish family of five, who fled the country as they were facing persecution as alleged members of the Gülen movement. 

Continue reading Turkish Family Of Five Drowned In Aegean Sea As Trying To Flee From Erdoğan Regime’s Persecution

More than 500 undocumented migrants captured across Turkey

Via Hurriyet Daily News – At least 547 undocumented migrants have been caught trying to reach Europe or enter Turkey illegally across the country, security officials said on Nov. 16.

The migrants were caught in the northwestern province of Edirne, Aegean province of İzmir, Central Anatolian province of Sivas, southern province of Hatay and the eastern province of Van. Continue reading More than 500 undocumented migrants captured across Turkey

Bodies of two refugee children washed ashore on Lesvos island

Via Keep Talking Greece – Authorities on the island of Lesvos stand before a mystery as the bodies at least two children were washed ashore in the less than 24 hours. A third body was discovered later on Saturday. No information about age or sex so far, as coast guard members were heading to the area as this post was written. Continue reading Bodies of two refugee children washed ashore on Lesvos island

Sea-Watch: Additional info on pushback incident report by Refugee Rescue

Via Sea-Watch BREAKING: Turkish Coast Guards attack refugees!