Turkiye says Greece 'convicted in conscience of humanity' for mistreating migrants

ANKARA

The Human Rights Committee of the Turkish parliament said Thursday that Greece has been convicted in the conscience of humanity for its treatment of migrants.

Speaking to the committee members, Hakan Cavusoglu reminded that at least 12 irregular migrants were found frozen to death in northwestern Turkiye after they were pushed back from neighboring Greece.

"Greece has been convicted in the conscience of humanity for its practices towards migrants and will one day be condemned before international law," Cavusoglu said.

The deaths of the migrants "has once again revealed the extent of Greece's actions against human rights and international law, and how it recklessly endangered the lives of migrants," he added.

Twelve of 22 migrants who were "pushed back" by Greek border forces Wednesday and stripped of their clothes and shoes froze to death.

The Governor's Office of Edirne province in northwestern Turkiye released a statement, saying the bodies of nine migrants were found in Pasakoy village of Ipsala district, less than 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the Greek border.

Turkiye has been the main transit point for asylum seekers attempting to enter Europe to begin new lives, particularly those fleeing war and persecution.

Turkiye and international human rights groups have repeatedly condemned Greece's illegal practice of pushing back asylum seekers, saying it violates humanitarian values and international law by endangering the lives of vulnerable people, including women and children.