{"id":4935,"date":"2019-03-18T15:55:41","date_gmt":"2019-03-18T12:55:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/?p=4935"},"modified":"2024-10-08T13:29:11","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T10:29:11","slug":"3-years-eu-turkey-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/3-years-eu-turkey-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Three years of the toxic EU-Turkey ‘deal’"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title=”BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY?” css=”.vc_custom_1552825795620{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}” el_class=”tet-h2″][vc_custom_heading text=”Three years of the toxic EU-Turkey ‘deal’ \u2013 the human cost” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:center” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”.vc_custom_1552839172699{margin-top: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;}”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Three years after its implementation, the EU-Turkey Joint Statement (‘Deal’) leaves an unbearable imprint. People who sought protection in Europe either perished in the Aegean or experienced enormous mental suffering and have been forced to survive in dire conditions in one of the Greek islands\u2019 refugee camps. The testimonies of refugees forced to live in one of these camps – and presented here today – prove the immense human cost of this cruel and toxic ‘deal’ in the forms of loss of freedom; real risk of being returned to a country that is not safe for them; inhuman living conditions; and severe impact on their mental and\/or physical health.<\/p>\n

From an observer\u2019s point of view – from the perspective of someone who lives in another EU country or from that of a politician – this piece might be seen as another story of human suffering. From the refugees\u2019 point of view, these are their lives that have sustained this damage. It is real and this is what this piece is trying to reflect.<\/p>\n

It is perhaps the first time in Europe’s history since WWII that the leaders of the Member States have been so cynical with regard to the human tragedy and have implemented a political scheme of psychological deterrence. Despite the dozens of reports by human rights institutions and organizations, Europe, by making the political choice to have a ‘deal’, has created places where fundamental rights are ignored, while encouraging multiple attempts to undermine the procedures and guarantees offered by the legal framework for the protection of refugees.<\/p>\n

The establishment and operation of the hotspots as a management model for mixed flows at the borders of Europe produces a bad precedent and strengthens the far-right agenda. The selection of controlled screening centers for new arrivals with restricted access derives from the dark pages of world and European history. This direction undoubtedly shows a fearful Europe that denies its own identity and forgets the reasons which led to its formation following the great wars.<\/p>\n

Three years after the ‘Deal’ came to Effect,<\/strong> the human cost is immeasurable, imposing a balance of fear. It Is The ones SEEKING PrOTECTION IN EUROPE, THIS SYSTEM TRIES TO KEEP OUT BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text]