Responding to BBC investigation into Greek coastguard

The BBC have been investigating experiences of refugees as they arrive on the Greek coast after making dangerous journeys across the Mediterannean in the hopes of reaching safety. Their report reveals eye witness accounts of people being thrown overboard to their deaths by the coastguard.

The BBC’s documentary, Dead Calm - Killing in the Med?, airs at 9pm on the 17 June 2024.

Here is our response to this important but shocking investigation:

Dr Wanda Wyporska, chief executive at Safe Passage International: “This groundbreaking reporting reveals the absolutely horrifying and violent treatment of people who believed they had finally reached safety in Europe. Instead, according to this BBC documentary, many have been killed as a result of extreme border practices – signifying that refugee lives are expendable.

“Appallingly, this is not an unfamiliar story to us. We know from our work in Greece with people fleeing war and persecution that border policies are often extremely aggressive and endanger lives.

“We need countries to work together to open safe routes for refugees, reunite families, end hostile policies, and restore the right to asylum – lives depend on it.”