HUMANE CONDITIONS?
The Netherlands plans to return people who apply for asylum here to Greece, claiming that conditions there have improved. But have they really?
Since 2011, the Netherlands has not returned people who apply for asylum here to Greece. Dutch courts prohibited this, due to the dire conditions in Greek refugee camps and the lack of access to basic services and legal protection.
Outgoing minister Van Weel now claims to see “significant improvements” and has made new agreements with his Greek counterpart to resume returns to Greece. During his visit to Athens, he toured a reception facility for young status holders, funded by the Netherlands. There, he met a young man who, after the horrors he endured in Egypt and Libya, has found safety and stability in Athens.
Not representative
This story sounds hopeful.
But unfortunately, it is not representative of how most people on the move are received in Greece.
During his visit, Van Weel also went to the border with Turkey. A high wall now stands there to prevent people from entering the country. Those who do manage to cross the border are placed in closed facilities. People deemed by the Greek authorities to have a “low chance of asylum,” or whose claims are rejected, are sent to detention centres, with the aim of facilitating return to their country of origin. The images speak for themselves: high walls, barbed wire, and effective confinement.
Fabienne Wijnen, Head of Programmes at Boatrefugee Foundation, said: “I expect the detention centres to fill up quickly. In practice, it is often very difficult, if not impossible, for people to return to their countries of origin.”
Every day, we witness the consequences of these inadequate reception conditions in our clinic. The shortcomings are widespread: poor food, inadequate housing, little to no access to healthcare or legal support, and severely restricted freedom of movement. In detention centres, these conditions are compounded by confinement in heavily guarded facilities.
22 million euros
People who are deemed likely to be granted asylum will eventually be relocated across EU countries. Countries that do not wish to participate can buy their way out. The Netherlands has chosen this option. Cost: €22 million. This amount will be transferred to Greece.
However, this will do nothing to improve conditions there. The funds are not earmarked for better reception or care and may also be spent on border control — an area that already receives billions of euros.
The question arises: when will we finally put people above borders again?