Greece has come under public scrutiny as a Washington-based Syrian rights group has filed a case with the International Criminal Court, calling for an investigation into alleged mistreatment of refugees in the nation.
The group, Syria Justice and Accountability Centre in a statement by its director, Mohammad Al-Abdallah, said witness testimony and video evidence back its claims of mistreatment and abuse of refugees at Greece borders and inside overcrowded camps, citing instances of security guards using tear gas to disperse refugee protests, and shabby and unhealthy conditions at the sprawling camps.
He said “If this case proceeds, it would send a clear message that yes, you have good policies in some countries, others (not) – but that you are actually governed by international law and by your refugee treaties, not by your individual member state’s decision”.
However, prosecutors at the ICC will review the case before deciding whether to open a full-scale investigation, which would likely take months to complete, reports say.
