ABANDONED ON THE BANKS OF THE MERIÇ (EVROS) RIVER: GREECE'S MIGRATION POLICY IN THE CONTEXT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Abstract

The issue of migration deeply impacts European countries. Greece is one of the countries on the migrants’ route. While Greece is preferred by irregular migrants because it is the gateway to Europe and is located in the Schengen area, it is also examined as a case study due to the security measures it has taken on its land borders, such as pushing back and building a steel wall on the border. This article analyzes Greece’s migration policy. The aim of the study is to seek an answer to the question of whether national security concerns of countries in the fight against irregular migration can go beyond the obligation to comply with the basic principles of human rights law. In particular, it focuses on human rights violations faced by irregular migrants crossing the Meriç (Evros) border. The study references academic literature and news coverage from national and international media.