The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) today condemned Turkey for illegally sending back to Syria an immigrant who still had a legal residence permit, with Turkish authorities forcing him to sign a document stating that he was returning voluntarily, while ignoring the danger. to be ill-treated after his repatriation.
“Serious and proven facts lead to the conclusion that in this case there was a real risk for the applicant to be subjected to treatment in Syria contrary to Article 3 (s) of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. “and that the Turkish authorities exposed the latter, having full knowledge of the facts, to the risk of being treated contrary to the Convention”, the Court clarified in a press release.
In June 2018, Muhammad Fawzi Akad, in his 20s, was arrested by the Turkish authorities when he was trying to cross into Greece.
He was taken to Hatay province, near the border with Syria, and forced to sign a document he did not understand, which turned out to be a form for his voluntary return, he claimed. He was sent back to Syria two days later, without being able to appeal, while he had a residence permit in Turkey and a “temporary protection status”.
Akad stressed that he was arrested and beaten by armed fighters in Syria, but was later released. He returned to Turkey in July 2018 and later managed to travel to Germany.
The ECtHR clarifies that the applicant returned to Turkey in July 2018 and then went to Germany where he applied for refugee status.
The ECtHR ordered Ankara to pay him 9,750 euros.
There has been no immediate reaction from Turkish authorities, who in the past have denied sending Akad back to Syria against his will.
Turkey hosts about 3.7 million Syrian refugees, the largest refugee population in the world. Common sentiment has turned against the refugees as the economic crisis plaguing Turkey pushes the government to work out plans to resettle up to 1 million Syrians in northwestern Syria after housing is built there.
The plans have not garnered international support, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says conditions in Syria are not conducive to mass voluntary returns.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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