Migrant crisis: Amnesty International slams Europe over Turkey deal

The deal by European leaders which will see Europe-bound migrants returned to Turkey has been criticised by Amnesty International with the body accusing leaders in Europe of “double speak”.

The leading human rights charity group said the deal failed to hide the EU’s “dogged determination to turn its back on a global refugee crisis”.

Read also: Angela Merkel criticises closure of Balkan routes for Migrants

Under the plan, migrants arriving in Greece will be sent back to Turkey if their asylum claim is rejected.
In return, Turkey will receive aid and political concessions.

John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Director for Europe and Central Asia, said promises by the EU to respect international and European law “appear suspiciously like sugar-coating the cyanide pill that refugee protection in Europe has just been forced to swallow”.

“Guarantees to scrupulously respect international law are incompatible with the touted return to Turkey of all irregular migrants arriving on the Greek islands as of Sunday.” He added.

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