The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), located in Strasbourg, has prohibited the pushback of a group seeking asylum in Greece and facing attacks, according to an application submitted by the ASSEDEL association. This morning, the court issued an interim measure in favor of 52 refugees, including children, who crossed over to Greece through the Meriç River and were attacked by masked individuals, fearing pushback TR724.com reported.
In a statement shared by the Human Rights Assistance Project, it was stated that the application made by our association to the ECHR regarding the group, who sought asylum due to their Kurdish identity, political and community affiliations, and were forcibly returned after being attacked with knives by masked individuals in Greece, has yielded positive results with the issuance of an interim measure.
In the decision conveyed to ASSEDEL by the ECHR, the Greek authorities were reminded of their legal obligations, and it was stated that the 52 individuals seeking asylum should not be expelled from Greece and should be provided with food, water, and adequate medical care until the next notification.
The ECHR had previously prohibited the pushback of 7 refugees on March 27, 2023, and 56 refugees on June 13, 2023, in separate applications.
What is an interim measure?
According to Article 39 of the Rules of Court of the ECHR, the European Court of Human Rights may issue an interim measure against any State party to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Interim measures are emergency measures applied according to the established practices of the ECHR to prevent a potential risk of irreparable harm.
These measures are decided in connection with the case being examined by the ECHR and without prejudicing the decision on the admissibility or merits of the case.
In situations where there is an extremely high risk that the applicant would suffer serious and irreparable harm, the Court exceptionally issues interim measures in such cases. These interim measures are subsequently communicated to the Government responsible for the violation.
The most typical situations are those where applicants fear for their lives (right to life) or are at risk of prohibited ill-treatment (torture or inhuman or degrading treatment) if the deportation or removal order is implemented.
In more exceptional cases, these measures are also applied concerning the right to a fair trial and the right to respect for private and family life.
Ensar Nur, TR724.com.
