March 2024 marks the eight year anniversary of the EU-Türkiye Statement. The statement served as a deal between Türkiye and EU member states, introduced as a ‘temporary and extraordinary measure’ to address the ‘irregular migration from Türkiye to the EU’.[1] The deal came into force at the height of the so-called ‘Migrant Crisis’ as thousands of people fled the Syrian war. It marked the beginning of a series of strict asylum policies that continue to shape a hostile asylum system in both Greece and the EU. 

The deal rested on the presumption that Türkiye was a safe country for people seeking international protection to be returned to, and thereby set the foundation for  the border procedure and ‘safe third country’ concept which later followed.[2] 

In June 2021, Greece introduced Joint Ministerial Decision No.42799/2021  designating Türkiye as a “safe third country” for applicants from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.[3] People from these nationalities are subjected to an additional interview, during which they have to prove that they were unable to settle or be safe in Türkiye. Only if they pass this admissibility interview will they be assessed for asylum in Greece.[4] 

The ‘third safe country’ concept fails to reflect the lived experiences of many asylum seekers. People seeking asylum on Lesvos have reported cases of violence, detention and deportation whilst residing in Türkiye. They are often refused asylum or legal papers meaning that they are unable to access fundamental services such as access to medical care or housing. For example, one person arrived in Lesvos with a broken leg after a severe assault from Turkish police officers, whilst another could not access urgent cancer treatment.[5] 

Despite Greece’s insistence that Türkiye is a safe place for people to settle, there is very little evidence to support this.[6] The continuous mistreatment by Turkish authorities towards refugees only goes to highlight the desperate need for safe routes into the EU. 

Compounding the situation, Türkiye no longer accepts people who seek asylum back into the country,[7] leaving people in a state of limbo, stranded without the option to seek asylum in Europe nor return to Türkiye, grappling to secure international protection.

The current hostile migration policy in the EU is built on the foundations of the Statement. Instead of prioritising the protection of those in need of asylum, the EU continues to subject people to  unnecessary procedural obstacles and hinder their access to asylum. 

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