Ombudsman: EU must continue to assess human rights impact of EU-Turkey deal

Following complaints on the issue, the European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, announced in January 2017 that she had asked the European Commission to carry out a more thorough assessment of the human rights impact of the EU-Turkey Agreement.

Under the Agreement, concluded in March 2016, asylum seekers and migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece whose applications are then declared inadmissible were to be returned to Turkey; and Turkey was to take measures to prevent the opening up of new sea or land migration routes.

The Ombudsman called on the Commission to include in its future progress reports on the implementation of the Agreement – agreed by the European Council - a separate section focusing on human rights risks and on measures to reduce them.

ESO: Background information: UNHCR expresses concern over EU-Turkey plan / UNHCR's reaction to Statement of the EU Heads of State and Government of Turkey, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/unhcr-expresses-concern-over-eu-turkey-plan-unhcrs-reaction-to-statement-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-and-government-of-turkey-7-march-2016/

ESO: Background information: International Summit: Meeting of the EU heads of state or government with Turkey, Brussels, 7 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/international-summit-meeting-of-the-eu-heads-of-state-or-government-with-turkey-brussels-7-march-2016/

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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