The Minister of Migration Policy Yannis Mouzalas recently submitted a legislative amendment that changes the composition of the secondary asylum committees, which were formed about two and half months ago.
In response to the recent amendment, the National Commission for Human Rights (EEDA) argued that it was “rushed” and “without any previous consultation or information”. The commission expressed its concern since the existing committees blocked the mass deportation of refugees back to Turkey, since it is argued Turkey is not a safe third country.
The EEDA stresses that the amendment may conflict with the Constitution over the participating of judicial officers in these three-member committees. Additionally, 18 members of the Refugee Committees have claimed that there has been direct political intervention in order to send refugees back to Turkey, against international legislation.
Likewise, the anti-racism activist group KEERFA has denounced the amendment, underlining that it is a “crude intervention” in the operation of committees which “did not conform to instructions”.
