More than 200.000 illegal pushbacks at European external borders in 2022
Pushbacks, the violent repulsion of people who want to apply for asylum, form the basis of the European external borders policy. In 2022, we counted no less than 225.533. People are systematically exploited. The European pushbacks are illegal mismanagement that results in deaths.
March 21 2023
3 minutes
People who are driven into the hands of the Libyan coast guard, with abuse, rape and even murder as a result. Pregnant women and children who are abused. People who are pushed back in – often rickety – boats on the dangerous waters of the Mediterranean. At the European external borders, exploitation appears to be the rule in the form of illegal pushbacks.
From a recent survey of 11.11.11 it appears that in 2022 at least 225.533 pushbacks at the European external borders. This astronomically high figure – around 617 per day – shows the scale of the illegal practices of European member states. After all, pushbacks are contrary to European and international law. Because that states that people have the right to apply for asylum because they may be in danger elsewhere.
Behind each of those cases go human dramas en geweld hide. For example, last summer international newspapers reported on the story of Maria, a 5-year-old Syrian girl who was taken from Greece to a remote island with her family and left behind by border guards. Without water, food or medical care. Maria died after a scorpion stung her, despite multiple calls for medical help. In addition to Maria, two other men from her group died. Our counts show that at least 77 people died as a result of illegal pushbacks.
Tip of the iceberg
11.11.11 notes that such violent pushbacks have been occurring for several years systematically are part of border management in almost all countries on the European external borders. The count only shows the tip of the iceberg. Most pushbacks occur unnoticed at sea or in remote border regions.
We count at least 200.000 human rights violations by European member states. The efficiency and systematic nature of illegal pushbacks is illegal mismanagement resulting in deaths.
Drownings are a political choice
Illegal practices will continue in 2023. In January alone, 1.881 pushbacks reported at sea between Greece and Turkey. An increase of 64% compared to January last year. These figures are alarming. European member states choose to push people back by force or leave them to their fate. Drownings are therefore a political choice from the member states.
However, there are some cautious voices hopeful signs. Earlier this month, Hans Leijtjens started as the new director of the controversial European border agency Frontex. Following the chaos and human rights violations under the administration of his predecessor, he promised to clean house. According to the CEO, Frontex should no longer be involved in pushbacks. The same language was heard from EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, who in January pointed out the illegal nature of pushbacks and the right to apply for asylum.
Drownings are a political choice from the Member States
Belgium is at a crucial crossroads
Our country is at a crucial crossroads. In particular, we are looking at the State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Nicole de MoorHe is currently helping to prepare the Belgian presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2024, where migration will be an important theme.
In negotiations on the new European Pact for Asylum and Migration and bilateral contacts with the Member States concerned, compliance with fundamental rights must be given top priority. Member States at the external borders receive hundreds of millions of euros to manage the European borders. Compliance with the rule of law must be a crucial condition for this funding.
We therefore ask that our country moral leadership shows and human rights as a guideline. That means a migration policy that does not focus on fences and surveillance, but on fundamental human rights and therefore also human lives.
