Despite the EU-Turkey deal, migrants continue to set out on the dangerous route to Europe with the aim of a future worth living. According to the NGO Aegean Boat Report 2.198 migrants reached the Greek islands between August 1 and 11.
Most of them arrived on the island of Lesvos, followed by Samos, Kos and Chios. From the 5th to the 12th of August 2019, about 1.400 refugees came to Lesvos on around 26 boats. That might be the highest number of migrants arriving on the Greek Aegean islands in a two week time span since years. Most of the migrants come from Afghanistan (35%), Syria (16%), Kongo, Iraq and Palestine.
Up to the 4th of August, the UNHCR has counted a total of 18.474 arrivals on the Greek islands in 2019. At least 57 have died during the passage in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Turkish Coast Guard has stopped more than 1.400 refugees since 1st of August placing them under temporary arrest in Turkey. There has also been a report of at least another illegal pushback by the Turkish Coast Guard, while the Greek Coast Guard just stood by.
This is more evidence that migration can neither be prohibited nor stopped. We still need a safe passage for migrants and the right to migrate.
The photo shows Greek and Turkish coast guards work together to illegally push back migrants to Turkey on April, 11. Photo: alarmphone.org
