Shocking reports have emerged of migrants being tortured and starved in Turkish detention centers before being sent back home. The European Union has funded the construction and operation of 30 migrant “removal centers” in Turkey, where migrants are allegedly held in appalling conditions before deportation to countries deemed unsafe by Brussels.
Since the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015, Turkey has been crucial in reducing the flow of migrants to Europe. In return for financial aid and border security, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has used migration as a bargaining tool with the EU. EU funding meant for processing and housing migrants has reportedly been diverted towards deportations.
Reports from former detainees describe dire conditions in removal centers, where migrants face abuse, torture, and coercion to sign deportation papers. Despite denials from the Turkish government, concerns remain over the treatment of migrants in these facilities.
The EU prohibits deportations to Syria and Afghanistan, raising further alarm over the situation. While the European Commission urges Turkey to investigate allegations, the responsibility for handling migration and safeguarding rights falls on Turkish authorities.
This scandal underscores the urgent need for transparency and accountability in managing migrant crises and upholding human rights.