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Thus, Free Europe writes, even if in the past these allegations were primarily directed at Greek border guards, Frontex has always denied that it is involved in or has knowledge of such practices.
But an investigation published Friday by the German newspaper Der Spiegel in collaboration with Bellingcat, Lighthouse Reports, ARD and TV Asahi, appears to show otherwise, and these charges include Romanian ships, using data from open sources, including videos and photos.
Thus, according to the images, Frontex (Coast Guard) personnel, including two Romanian ships that were patrolling at the time, appear to be directly involved in maneuvers to dissuade asylum seekers from reaching the coast (the so-called “illegal setbacks”) . Furthermore, Romanians appear to refuse to save people from drifting ships and intentionally endanger their lives through dangerous maneuvers, Free Europe stresses.
The incidents documented by the German publication in which Romanian ships also participate took place on June 8 and August 15 of this year and present a reality far from the humanitarian assistance and respect for human rights that the Romanian border guards should have respected.
Contacted by Free Europe, representatives of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Romania were very concerned that the Romanian authorities were carrying out such illegal practices within an international mission under the auspices of the European Union.
“UNHCR is deeply concerned by these images and testimonies that men, women and children may have been returned from Turkey after arriving on Greek territory or in Greek territorial waters,” said Nisreen Rubaian. , UNHCR representative in Romania.
In turn, the Border Police confirmed that Romania had two ships present in the area during this period, but limited itself to highlighting the “appreciation of senior European officials” for the Romanian crews, without commenting on the allegations of violations of international law. .
Romania has participated in Frontex missions with personnel and logistics since 2007, the year of accession to the European Union.
Frontex was created as a joint response to the various challenges and situations that may arise at the external borders of the Union.
