A Syrian asylum seeker has won a second and final appeal before an independent tribunal in Greece to have his deportation order to Turkey overturned. The decision could have implications for thousands of similar orders granted under the EU-Turkey migration deal, which allows asylum seekers arriving in Greece be returned to Turkey.
The tribunal refuted justification for the EU-Turkey migration deal, holding that the protections provided by Turkey do not offer equivalent rights to those required by the Geneva convention. The committee examined a number of assurances by Turkey to improve conditions that have not been delivered on, such as improving the labour market regulations by facilitating work permits for refugees or granting children access to the education system.
The man in question was one of the first Syrians due to be deported under the deal. It is reported that nearly 400 other asylum seekers have been sent back to Turkey, but as yet no other Syrians have been returned as a result of the migration deal.
The case will now be reheard in its entirety.
Greek authorities have not disclosed details of the appeal, but click here to read the Guardian’s report on the case.