Priority question for written answer P-001257/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Pietro Bartolo (S&D), Brando Benifei (S&D), Simona Bonafè (S&D), Caterina Chinnici (S&D), Franco Roberti (S&D), Elisabetta Gualmini (S&D), Pina Picierno (S&D), Pierfrancesco Majorino (S&D), Carlo Calenda (S&D), Paolo De Castro (S&D), Giuseppe Ferrandino (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Giuliano Pisapia (S&D), Massimiliano Smeriglio (S&D), Irene Tinagli (S&D), Patrizia Toia (S&D)

Subject: Situation on the border between Greece and Turkey

The situation on the border between Greece and Turkey has become tense and dangerous. The Turkish Government has opened its borders to 18 000 asylum seekers from Syria, presumably to apply pressure in order to obtain further funding. On the islands of Lesbos and Chios the situation is unsustainable. Desperation is driving the most vulnerable, including many children, to commit acts of self-harm and suicide attempts.

The media have been reporting serious acts of violence against the asylum seekers and operators from voluntary organisations. The Greek Government has announced that it wants to suspend the right of asylum, in breach of the Geneva Convention.

The EU needs to take urgent action to ensure that human rights are respected and asylum procedures managed normally.

Can the Commission therefore say:

1. what urgent measures it intends to take to address the emergency situation in the Greek islands, whilst fully respecting human rights;

2. what measures it intends to propose to support the efforts being made by Greece; what measures it intends to put forward to put an end to the violence, which has already led to casualties, against the refugees and the organisations assisting them;

3. what proposals it will put forward to review relations with the Turkish Government?

PE649.287v01-00