Shipwreck at Farmakonisi: Communication In accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Rules of the Committee of Ministers Concerning the judgment Safi and Others v Greece (5418/15)

On 20 February 2023, the Hellenic League for Human Rights proceeded with a submission to the Department for the Execution of Judgments of the ECtHR, in accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Rules of the Committee of Ministers Concerning the judgment Safi and Others v Greece (5418/15).

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in its judgment Safi and Others v Greece, App No 5418/15, 7.7.2022, examined the application of 14 refugees supported by our organisation on violation of articles 2 (right to life) and 3 (prohibition of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment) of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court held the Greek authorities responsible for the shipwreck that took place on Farmakonisi on 20 January 2014 following the involvement of a Coast Guard vessel, which led to the tragic drowning of eight children and three women, refugees from Afghanistan.

The shipwreck at Farmakonisi belongs to a long chain of events that affect the lives of people who attempt to pass irregularly from Turkey to Greece. A very high number of people risk their life not only because of the harsh conditions prevailing in the border zones, but also due to the behaviour of the Greek authorities during their apprehension or afterwards. Numerous allegations of push backs and failed rescue operations, abductions and systematic cases of inhuman treatment have been filed and processed by competent international and national actors. Hundreds of cases are reported by reliable media and organisations which know the field very well, as well as academics. These cases are not isolated.

The Greek government responded to the relevant submission and HLHR procedeed with an Addendum on the 24th of April 2023.  

On 5 June 2023, the Action Plan of the Greek state on the management of refugee flows was published, which our country was obliged to draft, submit and implement, as required by the operative part of the ECtHR’s decision. HLHR responded to the Action Plan with a new submission on 23 June 2023.

 

Find the HLHR’s submissions below. To download them press here, here and here. 

 

Communication In accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Rules of the Committee of Ministers Concerning the judgment Safi and Others v Greece (541815)

 

Addendum Safi_HLHR 24.04.2023

 

2023_6 Communication CommMinisters Safi and Others v Gr