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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Green MEPs accuse Greece of setting up 'wall of lies' on immigration

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Sep 2022 17:33
  • 3 Shares
4 Min Read

Green European MPs are preparing to launch a petition to freeze funds for countries that perform pushbacks on migrants.

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  • Green MEP's accuse Greece of setting up
    Green MEPs accuse Greece of setting up "wall of lies" on immigration

A delegation of Green European MPs criticized Greece on Tuesday for setting up a "wall of lies" to conceal its pushback of migrants back over its borders with the approval of Frontex, the EU agency responsible for preventing smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism, as well as many other cross-border crimes.

New Democracy, the conservative political party currently heading the government in Athens "is trying to build a different reality" and raising a "wall of lies," according to German MEP Erik Marquardt, speaking at a news conference ahead of a meeting with Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi.

For years, Greece has denied media reports alleging that the country might be involved in pushbacks at sea. Instead, it has accused its neighbor, Turkey, of forcing illegal migrants to cross the border with Greece.

Last June, Athens rejected a UN report claiming that its border surveillance forces had illegally pushed back thousands of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants over the past two years.

However, Dutch Greens MEP Tineke Strik on Tuesday noted that pushbacks are "happening on a systematic scale."

"We have numerous reports from credible sources," Strik said.

Read more: Migrants beg for help from tiny island between Greece, Turkey

The group of Green MEPs also said that the Frontex agency was remaining absent in zones where pushbacks are believed to take place.

"They operate under the command of the Greek authorities. And the Greek authorities decide where (Frontex is) to be operational," Strik said.

"But if there are allegations that are very credible, that in certain areas pushbacks are taking place, why don't you demand to go and have a look?" she said.

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The delegation also said the European Commission held sufficient information to initiate infringement procedures on pushbacks against Greece and Croatia.

The EU's executive arm "knows what is going on" and is taking a "deliberate decision" not to take further action, Strik said.

The Green delegation decided to launch an EU-wide petition to "freeze funds to countries that are performing pushbacks and make the new migration funds conditional (on) human rights compliance."

Read more: Greece blocks 40,000 migrants at Evros this year

Last year, some 3,231 men, women, and children have lost their lives drowning while attempting to reach European shores, with 1,881 in 2020, 1,510 in 2019, and more than 2,277 in 2018, according to data from the UNHCR. 

While such a tragedy is staged on an almost daily basis, EU governments are proceeding with their ongoing practice of evading responsibilities and throwing the blame onto one another.

For instance, last April, it was reported that Berlin forcefully evicted Afghan refugees from their houses to put up refugees from Ukraine in their stead.

Meanwhile, many have ironically remained silent on Poland's new anti-immigration wall, which has had severe consequences on the environment. 

As for Ukrainian refugees which the UK so dearly welcomed, it is estimated that 50,000 could be made homeless by next year due to ministers' reluctance of renewing a new package of support.

On top of everything, far-right political parties are thriving on anti-immigration positions, such as the fascist Brothers party in Italy or the National Rally in France. 

Read more: UN: Discrimination against Syrian refugees in Lebanon on the rise

  • Greece
  • immigrants
  • Wall Of Lies

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