The delegation of lawmakers, led by Peter Niedermüller, from the Socialist & Democrats group are due to check the situation of refugees at the external borders of the EU and assess how the EU-Turkey deal to manage migrant and asylum seekers flows into the EU is being implemented.
"Moral obligation to try find solution," @NiedermullerMEP on #MigrationEU in Idomeni. News https://t.co/YzbRMnW0zmhttps://t.co/WdH0TPPejL
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) May 18, 2016
The EU-Turkey deal allows for "irregular migrants" – those not meeting the criteria for asylum in the EU – to be returned to Turkey, in exchange one-for-one for Syrian refugees to be relocated from Turkey to EU member states.
@europarl deleg. visits #Idomeni #refugeecamp, statement by @NiedermullerMEP/@TheProgressives & meeting with #UNHCR https://t.co/CNScY1TfOk
— Frederick M (@FrederickMEAGSR) May 18, 2016
In return, Turkish citizens would be allowed visa-free travel within the Schengen area and Turkey's accession into the EU would be accelerated. Part of the deal is that Turkey passes legislation to meet 72 demands from the EU, covering various areas, including a loosening of its controversial anti-terror law that has been used to target journalists and academics, a condition which Erdogan has refused to commit to.
Human Rights Issues
However, critics say Erdogan’s record on human rights – particularly freedom of speech and the media – makes the country incompatible with EU principles. Moreover, his battle against the Kurds has drawn major criticism from human rights groups and many EU leaders.
#Greece: We call for immediate opening of 'hotspots' https://t.co/WnPRSlaGaz pic.twitter.com/SbgXr6VEdc
— MSF International (@MSF) 18 May 2016
Many relief agencies – including Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council, Save the Children and Red Cross – have joined the UN refugee agency UNHCR in saying the EU-Turkey deal is either immoral or illegal as the 'hotspots' have become detention centers.
They also say Turkey is not a 'safe country' for migrants to be returned to, under the Geneva Convention.The lawmakers are visiting both open and closed reception facilities in the northern part of the country and in Lesbos.
Civil Liberties Committee MEPs have repeatedly quizzed the EU Commission about the conditions in the Greek reception centers, the number and background of staff conducting asylum interviews and the return of migrants and asylum-seekers to Turkey. They are especially concerned about the situation of vulnerable groups, such as women with children and unaccompanied minors.
