Ahead of an extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) meeting later today, Amnesty International is calling on EU member states to step in and address the situation unfolding at the Greece-Turkey border. 

The inhumane measures which the Greek authorities are taking to prevent people from entering the country are an appalling betrayal of Greece’s human rights responsibilities and will put the lives of people fleeing violence at risk, Amnesty International said today.

For me helping is normal. I didn’t know that helping was forbidden. Helping is my duty, as a human being.

Across Europe people are being prosecuted and harassed for acts of solidarity towards refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants, including handing out warm clothes, offering shelter, and saving lives at sea, Amnesty International said today. 

Reacting to today’s European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment in Ismayilova v. Azerbaijan, in favour of journalist Khadia Ismayilova, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Denis Krivosheev, said:

President MichelEuropean CouncilHigh Representative BorrellEuropean External Action ServiceCommissionner VárhelyiEuropean Commission

This briefing is submitted in accordance with Rule 9(2) of the Rules of the Committee of Ministers for the supervision of the execution of judgments, in advance of the 1369th (Human Rights) meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies on the execution of judgments.

The decision to detain Osman Kavala on new charges merely hours after a court ordered his release must be immediately reversed and he must immediately set free, said Amnesty International.

Following the acquittal of Osman Kavala and eight other defendants in the so-called ‘Gezi trial’, Amnesty International’s Turkey Campaigner, Milena Buyum said:

Reacting to the European Court of Human Rights’ finding that Spain did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights when it summarily expelled two men from the Melilla enclave to Morocco, Anna Shea, Researcher on Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International, said:

TO: Ms Tonje MeinichChairperson

This briefing is submitted in accordance with Rule 9(2) of the Rules of the Committee of Ministers for the supervision of the execution of judgments and of the terms of friendly settlements adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 10 May 2006.