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Authorities in Turkey have announced the rescue of 116 migrants who were allegedly pushed back into Turkish territorial waters by Greece.
Daily Sabah reports that Coast Guard units found 35 migrants, including a child, inside a rubber boat off the Karaburun district of western Izmir province. The Coast Guards also rescued 44 migrants, five of them children, from the same district. In yet another rescue mission, the Coast Guards rescued 37 migrants, including 19 children.
Turkey has been a critical transit point for asylum seekers attempting to cross into Europe to start new lives. This is more common for those individuals fleeing war and persecution. The Turkish authorities and global rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece’s illegal practice. They have stated that it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable migrants, including women and children.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said 3,168 people had taken the route from Turkey to Greece since the beginning of the year.
As far as the matter is concerned, Greece and Turkey could have better relations.
