Daily Report
Arrivals and Departures:
124 people were returned on Friday from Greece to Turkey, according to the Greek Ministry of Citizens’ Protection announced (111 people from Pakistan, 2 from Bangladesh, 4 from Iraq, 4 Indian nationals, 1 Moroccan national, 1 Egyptian national and 1 person of Palestinian origin). Subsequent boat departures from the Greek Islands to Dikili, Turkey returned 45 people from Lesvos, 29 from Kos and 50 from Samos. One of the 45 people aboard the first boat was not admitted to Turkey due to lack of documentation and was sent back to Greece. Through the bilateral Greece-Turkey readmission protocol through the Evros land border with Turkey, 97 people were returned to Turkey.
Last week, fewer than 100 people arrived according to the Greek shores; this was the lowest recorded the weekly average rate to date.
Condition of People:
On Sunday, people located at Eidomeni, on the Greek side of the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, were wounded when former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia police fired teargas and rubber bullets at crowds on the Greek side of the border with the aim of preventing them from entering FYR Macedonian territory. The act was condemned by Greece as “dangerous and deplorable”. FYR Macedonian government officials denies using rubber bullets and stated that 14 police officers and 9 military staff were wounded in the event. UNHCR is very concerned by the incidents and issued a press release calling for a halt to the violence.
On 14 March, people swam across the Suva River, perceived as a green border crossing point. Since February, more than 11,000 people have remained at Eidomeni after border closures across the Balkans. Wishing to continue their journey, this marks the second attempt of people located at the border area to enter into the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Both events were followed by people requiring medical care due to violent deterrent measures of former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia police forces.
Regarding the clashes of last Sunday, Achilleas Tzemos, of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), told Reuters that of more 30 of the 300 people treated had wounds caused by rubber bullets. A similar number had open wounds, and 200 others had respiratory problems resulting from exposure to teargas. “Among those with breathing difficulties there were quite a few women and children,” he said.