ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The United Nations’ refugee and migration companies on Friday slammed Greece’s failure over the previous year to clarify among the worst migrant shipwrecks in the Mediterranean Sea that left hundreds dead.
UNHCR and IOM worried the “important” value of a “thorough and definitive” examination in a joint declaration on the very first anniversary of the June 14, 2023, catastrophe off southern Greece.
“Examinations have actually been started in Greece however up until now no result developing the realities on the occurrence has actually been interacted,” they stated.
Left-wing groups prepared demonstration marches later on Friday in Athens and other cities, in addition to outdoors Greek embassies and consulates in other European nations.
Migrant charities and rights groups have actually extensively slammed the Greek coast guard’s handling of the shipwreck in worldwide waters 75 kilometers (45 miles) off the town of Pylos.
Just 104 individuals made it through the sinking of the Adriana, a rusty metal fishing boat smuggling as much as 750 migrants from Libya to Italy. Although the vessel was plainly in bad shape, Greek authorities were not able to leave the travelers before it sank. Survivors have stated the Adriana decreased throughout a messed up coast guard effort to tow it, which Greek authorities highly reject.
“A comprehensive examination is vital to protect justice for the survivors and the households of the victims and to assist avoid comparable catastrophes in the future,” the 2 U.N. companies stated.
On Thursday, rights groups Human Rights View and Amnesty International stated “a trustworthy procedure for responsibility” was required.
“It is unconscionable that a person year considering that this dreadful catastrophe, the examination into the prospective liability of (Greece’s) Coast Guard has actually hardly advanced,” HRW main Judith Sunderland stated in a joint declaration by the groups.
A marine court released an initial examination days after the mishap however has actually launched no details on its development. In November 2023, Greece’s state ombudsman began a different probe.
Greek authorities had actually made no declaration since early afternoon Friday to mark the shipwreck anniversary, and did not react to previous ask for remark.
Greece is a primary entry point for individuals from the Middle East, Africa and Asia looking for a much better life in the European Union.