EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said she “discussed with Greek Ministers of State George Girapetis, Takis Theodorikakos (civil protection) and Giannis Plakiotakis (merchant marine and island politics) the management of external borders, fundamental rights and rights.” .

In a social media statement, she stressed that “protecting the external borders of the European Union from illegal entry is a duty”, stressing that “forced and illegal deportations of migrants must stop immediately.”

Johansson warned that “European funding” for immigration and border management is “linked to the proper exercise of the fundamental rights of the European Union”, noting that “the ministers have presented a new proposal for the integration of fundamental rights into the Greek asylum system” to be implemented by September 1 next year. .

This comes after the publication of an investigation by Lighthouse Reports and several European newspapers, including Le Monde last Tuesday, based on the testimony of six migrants who said they were forcibly recruited by the Greek police to deport other migrants to Turkey. during secret and brutal operations near the borders of Evros.

The Greek authorities regularly deny illegal deportations of migrants, which they are accused of in media and NGO investigations.