Greece: Further information: Return to Turkey not imminent for two Syrians: M.F. and J.B.
The first two Syrian refugees that became at risk of being forcibly returned to Turkey under the illegal EU-Turkey deal have now been released from detention. In both cases a court has also ordered the suspension of their deportation until other court hearings take place at the end of September.
Further information on UA: 135/16 Index: EUR 25/4613/2016 Greece Date: 8 August 2016
URGENT ACTION
RETURN TO TURKEY NOT IMMINENT FOR TWO SYRIANS
The first two Syrian refugees that became at risk of being forcibly returned to Turkey
under the illegal EU-Turkey deal have now been released from detention. In both cases a
court has also ordered the suspension of their deportation until other court hearings take
place at the end of September.
The cases of Syrian refugees M.F. and J.B. are the first two known cases in which asylum applications
were found inadmissible by the Appeals Committee under the illegal EU-Turkey deal. The Appeals
Committee found that Turkey is a safe third country for M.F. and J.B., putting them at immediate risk of
being returned to Turkey, where their safety and protection is not guaranteed.
M.F. and J.B. have now been released from police custody. M.F. was released on 1 July and J.B. on 22
July. On 28 July, a court order suspended temporarily their deportation until end of September, when court
hearings on their request to get the Appeals Committee’s decisions overturned will take place, removing the
imminent risk of deportation for the two refugees.
Amnesty International remains in contact with M.F. and J.B. and their lawyers and will continue monitoring
their cases closely.
Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network at this stage.
This is the second update of UA 135/16. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/EUR25/4441/2016/en/
Name: M.F and J.B. (names withheld for security reasons).
Gender m/f: Both male.
Further information on UA: 135/16 Index: EUR 25/4613/2016 Issue Date: 8 August 2016