33 irregular migrants rescued after being pushed back by Greek forces
Turkish Coast Guard teams rescued 33 irregular migrants from Afghanistan who were pushed into Turkish territorial waters off the coast of Ayvacık, Çanakkale, on Sunday..
The migrants were found in a rubber boat in distress. They were taken to the Ayvacık Foreigners Repatriation Center for further processing.
The Turkish Coast Guard has rescued hundreds of irregular migrants in recent months who have been pushed back by Greek forces. The practice of pushbacks is illegal under international law.
The Aegean Sea has become a major route for irregular migration to Europe. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of Greek forces pushing back irregular migrants into Turkish waters.
The practice of pushbacks is illegal under international law. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on Greece to stop the practice and to respect the rights of asylum seekers.
The Turkish government has condemned the practice of pushbacks and has called on Greece to respect international law.
The rescue of the 33 irregular migrants is a reminder of the dangers faced by those who attempt to cross the Aegean Sea. It is also a reminder of the need to uphold international law and to protect the rights of asylum seekers. (ILKHA)