‘Portfolio’
Toetsing van:
Writing for Impact
SV-code: _M_HBR-2-OM-18-MI
Aantal woorden
Deelopdracht 1: 918
Deelopdracht 2: 808
Deelopdracht 3: 824
Deelopdracht 4: 920
Hogeschool Leiden Opleiding HBO-Rechten
Naam: Louise Bravenboer studentnummer: 1155581
Naam begeleidend docent: Christine Anderton(can)
Inleverdatum: 17-10-2025
Reguliere kans
Klas 2A Collegejaar 2, blok 1
, Report on: Allegations against the Greek coastguard for the dozen migrants' fatal
pushbacks
Introduction
A recent BBC investigation has accused the Greek coastguard of causing the deaths of dozens of
migrants through illegal pushbacks in the Mediterranean Sea between 2020 and 2023. Migrants were
reportedly forced back to sea after reaching Greek islands, thrown overboard without life jackets, or
placed on unsafe rafts. This report will give an overview of these allegations, discuss the Greek
government’s response, and then draw a conclusion and provide recommendations to improve
accountability and compliance with international law.
Verified sources and witness accounts
Between 2020 and 2023, the BBC investigated the actions of the Greek coastguard. The investigation
revealed serious claims that the coastguard was responsible for the deaths of more than 40 migrants
through illegal pushbacks.1 Most of this information came from the Turkish coastguard, NGOs, and
local media. It was difficult to collect reliable witness statements because survivors often stayed
silent or disappeared.2 Still, the BBC managed to speak with several eyewitnesses who shared their
experiences.
In at least five cases, migrants said they were not only forced back to sea, but also thrown directly
into the water. One striking case happened in September 2021. A man from Cameroon tried to
register as an asylum seeker after arriving on the island of Samos. 3 According to his story, Greek
authorities hunted him down, put him and two others on a boat, and threw them into the sea
without life jackets after beating them. Only the Cameroonian man survived; the two others were
later found dead on the Turkish coast.
Another case took place in March 2021. A man from Somalia arrived on the island of Chios. He and
three others were handed over to the coastguard, who then threw them into the sea. The Somali
man had his hands tied with zip ties but still managed to survive. The other three drowned.
The deadliest case happened in September 2022 near the island of Rhodes. A boat with 85 people
lost power, and the survivors said they called the Greek coastguard for help. Instead of rescuing
them, the coastguard moved them onto another boat and pushed it back toward Turkish waters. 4
The boat began to sink almost immediately because a valve had not been closed properly. One
survivor, Mohammed from Syria, said he watched his whole family drown, leaving him as the only
survivor.
Although Greek law allows all migrants seeking asylum to register their claim on several islands at
special registration centres, the BBC’s findings and video evidence from The New York Times suggest
1
Smith & Steele 2024.
2
Smith & Steele 2024.
3
Smith & Steele 2024.
4
Smith & Steele 2024.
Toetsing van:
Writing for Impact
SV-code: _M_HBR-2-OM-18-MI
Aantal woorden
Deelopdracht 1: 918
Deelopdracht 2: 808
Deelopdracht 3: 824
Deelopdracht 4: 920
Hogeschool Leiden Opleiding HBO-Rechten
Naam: Louise Bravenboer studentnummer: 1155581
Naam begeleidend docent: Christine Anderton(can)
Inleverdatum: 17-10-2025
Reguliere kans
Klas 2A Collegejaar 2, blok 1
, Report on: Allegations against the Greek coastguard for the dozen migrants' fatal
pushbacks
Introduction
A recent BBC investigation has accused the Greek coastguard of causing the deaths of dozens of
migrants through illegal pushbacks in the Mediterranean Sea between 2020 and 2023. Migrants were
reportedly forced back to sea after reaching Greek islands, thrown overboard without life jackets, or
placed on unsafe rafts. This report will give an overview of these allegations, discuss the Greek
government’s response, and then draw a conclusion and provide recommendations to improve
accountability and compliance with international law.
Verified sources and witness accounts
Between 2020 and 2023, the BBC investigated the actions of the Greek coastguard. The investigation
revealed serious claims that the coastguard was responsible for the deaths of more than 40 migrants
through illegal pushbacks.1 Most of this information came from the Turkish coastguard, NGOs, and
local media. It was difficult to collect reliable witness statements because survivors often stayed
silent or disappeared.2 Still, the BBC managed to speak with several eyewitnesses who shared their
experiences.
In at least five cases, migrants said they were not only forced back to sea, but also thrown directly
into the water. One striking case happened in September 2021. A man from Cameroon tried to
register as an asylum seeker after arriving on the island of Samos. 3 According to his story, Greek
authorities hunted him down, put him and two others on a boat, and threw them into the sea
without life jackets after beating them. Only the Cameroonian man survived; the two others were
later found dead on the Turkish coast.
Another case took place in March 2021. A man from Somalia arrived on the island of Chios. He and
three others were handed over to the coastguard, who then threw them into the sea. The Somali
man had his hands tied with zip ties but still managed to survive. The other three drowned.
The deadliest case happened in September 2022 near the island of Rhodes. A boat with 85 people
lost power, and the survivors said they called the Greek coastguard for help. Instead of rescuing
them, the coastguard moved them onto another boat and pushed it back toward Turkish waters. 4
The boat began to sink almost immediately because a valve had not been closed properly. One
survivor, Mohammed from Syria, said he watched his whole family drown, leaving him as the only
survivor.
Although Greek law allows all migrants seeking asylum to register their claim on several islands at
special registration centres, the BBC’s findings and video evidence from The New York Times suggest
1
Smith & Steele 2024.
2
Smith & Steele 2024.
3
Smith & Steele 2024.
4
Smith & Steele 2024.
