Amnesty International has revealed in a statement that according to reliable sources Turkey violated international and European laws by forcefully relocating asylum seekers back to Afghanistan. The forced return of around 30 Afghan asylum seekers by Turkish authorities, only a few hours after Turkey had signed an agreement with the EU regarding the refugee crisis indicates that the lives of refugees have been put at risk. The statement disclosed that various forms of mistreatments and forceful expulsions were practices adopted by Turkey since December 2015. The statement says Syrian and refugees of other ethnic background were incarcerated at the infamous Erzeroum facility that has been financed by the EU. ‘Refugees and asylum seekers were arrested on the western borders were detained without access to and were then forced to return to Syria and Iraq, while they were compelled to sign papers for the ‘willing return”. Amnesty International continues by accusing the European Commission for failing to act, despite its pledges to look into the matter. The statement adds that given the reality on the ground in Turkey with relation to its treatment of refugees and asylum seekers the country can be considered a ‘safe country’ for refugees. Despite the fact that Turkish law protects the rights of asylum seekers, Amnesty International has recorded numerous instances where this right is not upheld.
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