With the bidding process expected to begin soon, the Sport & Rights Alliance asks FIFA to ensure that the bid evaluation process reflects the results of an opinion poll commissioned by Amnesty International and conducted in 15 countries, which showed that a majority of the public, 53%, believe human rights should be a critical consideration in deciding who hosts major international sporting events.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice, said: “It is clear that the public wants human rights to be a high priority so that the World Cup is a celebration of the game they love and never provides a platform for exploitation, repression or discrimination.

It is clear that the public wants human rights to be a high priority so that the World Cup is a celebration of the game they love and never provides a platform for exploitation, repression or discrimination.

Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of economic and social justice

“FIFA must rigorously apply the highest human rights standards in evaluating all bids to host its flagship tournament, demand clear human rights action plans, and reject any bid that fails to credibly show how serious human rights risks would be prevented, independently monitored, and remedied if abuses occur.”

FIFA introduced human rights criteria for the first time in the bidding for the 2026 World Cup, following controversies around the process to award the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively. It is expected such criteria will be included again, but there are concerns that they may be sidelined or ignored in FIFA’s choice of the 2030 hosts.

Despite the introduction of its human rights policy and bidding criteria in 2017, FIFA has since failed to perform appropriate human rights risk assessments when awarding other tournaments. For example, since 2017, the Club World Cup has been granted to China, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Saudi Arabia without any transparent process or consultation with civil society. There were also widespread violations of human rights in relation to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, despite FIFA having developed a “sustainability strategy”, which included human rights commitments, in 2020. Hundreds of thousands of migrant workers remain without compensation for abuses they suffered in preparing and delivering the tournament.

The call comes as Amnesty International published the results of an opinion poll conducted by YouGov, showing that a majority of people (53%) in 15 countries believe that human rights, including workers’ rights, press freedom and non-discrimination, should be a key consideration when selecting the host of a major sporting event.

Joint bids to host the 2030 men’s World Cup are expected, including one from Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Ukraine, and another from Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. Saudi Arabia is reportedly preparing a joint bid either for 2030 or 2034, with Greece, and Egypt has been raised a possible partner.

The poll showed that, after safety and security (57%), human rights was the most commonly chosen consideration for determining tournament hosts (53%). This was the top consideration in seven of the countries surveyed, and highest in Switzerland (68%), where FIFA is based. More than four times as many people, or 53%, chose human rights as a key factor that should determine the hosts, versus 13% who selected ‘commercial revenues for sports bodies’ as a priority.

The results of the poll clearly show the importance fans place on human rights in determining the hosts of major sports events – far more than politics or profit.

Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe

Ronan Evain, executive director of Football Supporters Europe, said: “The results of the poll clearly show the importance fans place on human rights in determining the hosts of major sports events – far more than politics or profit. We, football supporters, want binding guarantees not only that their own rights will be respected, but also that workers will be assured of decent conditions, journalists will be able to report freely, and human rights activists can speak out without fear.” 

Andrea Florence, director of the Sport & Rights Alliance, said: “Since 2017, FIFA has made important progress in recognizing its human rights responsibilities. But human rights assessments and considerations have not been applied systematically when awarding FIFA tournaments. To demonstrate they are serious about their own policies and statutes, it is critical that FIFA puts human rights front and centre when choosing the host for the 2030 men’s World Cup.”

To demonstrate they are serious about their own policies and statutes, it is critical that FIFA puts human rights front and centre when choosing the host for the 2030 men’s World Cup.

Andrea Florence, director of the Sport & Rights Alliance

Background and Polling

The poll involved almost 17,500 adults in 15 countries. They were asked by YouGov last year to select from a list of ten factors they believed should be ‘key considerations’ when selecting the host of an international sporting event, such as the FIFA men’s World Cup or the Olympic Games. Those polled could select multiple options. The survey was carried out in Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

The results in order were: Safety and security of fans, athletes and volunteers (57%), Human rights including workers’ rights, press freedom and non-discrimination (53%), Quality of infrastructure such as stadiums, transport, and hotels (48%), Transparency and measures to tackle corruption (43%), Environmental sustainability and climate change (37%), Cultural and tourism opportunities for visiting fans (28%), The potential economic benefits for the host country (28%), Experience of successfully hosting major sporting events (25%), Sporting legacy for the host country such as the development of domestic sport (24%), Potential commercial revenue for the sports body such as FIFA or the International Olympic Committee (13%), Don’t know (12%), and None of these (4%).

FIFA’s Statutes (article 3) and Human Rights Policy (article 7 and 10) require the global football governing body to “respect” and “strive to promote” human rights, identify and address any adverse human rights impacts of its operations, and to constructively engage with relevant authorities and other stakeholders in its efforts to uphold these responsibilities.

In its Human Rights Policy, FIFA also commits to respecting human rights in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. According to the UN Guiding Principles, all companies should conduct human rights due diligence in relation to all aspects of its operations. If serious human rights risks cannot or will not be prevented, the company should take the necessary steps to cease or prevent its impact. 

The final choice of host for the 2030 men’s World Cup is expected to be decided by a vote of all football associations at the annual FIFA Congress in 2024. In 2018, FIFA selected Canada, Mexico and the United States to jointly host the 2026 men’s World Cup.

Members of the Sport & Rights Alliance include Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, Football Supporters Europe, Human Rights Watch, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA World), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), The Army of Survivors, Transparency International and World Players Association.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 17,477 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 16 August – 6 September 2022. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all surveyed countries’ adults (aged 18+). 

The post Global: Human rights should be essential to FIFA’s choice of World Cup 2030 host, poll shows appeared first on Amnesty International.

“This is a tragedy of unimaginable proportions, all the more so because it was entirely preventable. We demand an urgent, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into what happened to cause this catastrophe, and that assistance and support be provided to the survivors. So many questions demand answers. Why was a search and rescue operation not launched much sooner? What caused the ship to capsize? Those who lost their lives, survivors and their families deserve transparency, truth and justice.

“As the world waits for survivors of this tragedy to have the opportunity to recount their experiences, Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the lack of clarity in the Greek authorities’ version of the incident. 

“The Greek coast guard reported that unspecified people on the boat ‘refused’ Greece’s assistance and wished to continue to Italy. There were hundreds of people on the boat and it is not possible that they were all consulted on their wishes. The Greek government had specific responsibilities toward every passenger on the vessel, which was clearly in distress. 

“While an investigation is urgently needed to clarify the circumstances of the incident, this tragedy is the latest in a long chain of shipwrecks in Greece and across Europe that were entirely preventable. Today, families are mourning loved ones, and more are searching for those they cannot reach. European politicians could have prevented this from happening by establishing safe and legal routes for people to arrive in Europe. These are the only way to avoid such frequently occurring tragedies.” 

Background 

Amnesty International urges the Greek authorities to release more information about the circumstances leading to their decision not to rescue the vessel sooner. It also calls on Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard to release information and aerial imaging gathered as part of their observation of the events. Such information will be instrumental to reconstruct the incident, as their surveillance aircraft reported detecting the vessel on Tuesday morning. 

For the people who have survived this traumatic event, Amnesty International calls on the authorities in Greece to ensure that survivors and affected families have access to proper psychological support, care and access to ways to communicate with their loved ones and report missing people. All survivors must be accommodated in an environment that is safe. 

For more information contact press@amnesty.org

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“We condemn the restrictions on accessing social media and the disruption of the signal of the private television channel Walf TV by the Senegalese authorities following the violent demonstrations that took place in Dakar, Ziguinchor and Kaolack, among other places. These restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and information constitute arbitrary measures contrary to international law and cannot be justified by security imperatives.

Arbitrary arrests must also cease immediately. We call on the Senegalese authorities to unconditionally release Aliou Sané, coordinator of Y’en a Marre, who has been detained since 29 May, as well as two members of FRAPP, Bentaleb Sow, detained since 31 May, and Tapha Diop, who was arrested on his way to the Foire gendarmerie to enquire as to the whereabouts of those being detained.

Samira Daoud, Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Amnesty International

Seydi Gassama, Executive Director of Amnesty Senegal, also stated:

“We further call on the Senegalese authorities to conduct credible and independent investigations into the deaths that occurred during the demonstrations in Dakar and Ziguinchor. We would remind the Senegalese authorities that force must only be used where necessary and in a proportionate manner. Everyone’s life and physical integrity must be respected and protected by the forces of law and order.”

Background

On Thursday 1 June, political opponent Ousmane Sonko was sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment on a charge of corrupting young people. Following this announcement, spontaneous and violent demonstrations broke out that same day in a number of towns, including Dakar, Ziguinchor and Kaolack. According to the government, nine people lost their lives.

Aliou Sané, leader of Y’en a Marre and a member of the Forces Vives de la Nation (F24) platform was arrested on 29 May in Dakar as he was trying to visit Ousmane Sonko, who has been prevented from leaving his home since Sunday. He was taken to the Public Prosecutor’s office the following day and charged with, among other things, taking part in an undeclared demonstration, public gathering and disturbance of the peace. FRAPP member Bentaleb Sow was arrested at his home in Colobane on 31 May. He is being held at the national gendarmerie in Colobane. moustapha Diop, another FRAPP member, was arrested on 1 June as he tried to check on the detainees and was taken into custody at the Foire gendarmerie. 

Cases of excessive use of force resulting in the deaths of 14 people in March 2021, two people in June 2022, and at least two people in May 2023 including a police officer, have thus far gone unpunished.

The post Senegal: The authorities must immediately halt the police violence and restore social media appeared first on Amnesty International.

“Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder should never have been put on trial for their human rights work. They were simply volunteering on the Greek shoreline, helping refugees and migrants at risk of drowning at sea, when they were arrested in 2018. Several human rights defenders similarly face criminalization for their work with refugees and migrants while this case has already had a chilling effect that may deter others from doing the same.”

“This appeal is only further prolonging Sarah and Sean’s ordeal. The misdemeanour offences they face include charges of espionage and forgery which can carry sentences of up to eight years in prison. In addition, the two humanitarians have also been subjected to an ongoing investigation since 2018 for unfounded felony charges carrying up to 20 years in prison.

Amnesty International is once again urging the Greek authorities to drop all charges against Sarah and Seán. Not only are they based on an abusive interpretation of anti-smuggling legislation, but they are also not backed up by any evidence whatsoever.

Adriana Tidona, Migration Researcher

Seán Binder said “In January the three judges of the appeals court and the prosecutor agreed that the indictment against us should be dismissed. They rightly concluded that we have a right to be communicated with in a language we understand. This is necessary for a fair trial and the rule of law. Now, another prosecutor has appealed this decision. We now find ourselves in front of the Supreme Court. We are confident that we will get a fair trial and the court will uphold the decision to dismiss the indictment against us. But if the Supreme Court sides with the prosecutor, then we fear our right to a fair trial is being denied.”

Background

The appeal hearing will take place on 16 May 2023 although the Court is not expected to issue a decision on that date. Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder will not be present at the hearing.

In January 2023, the Court of Appeal of Mytilene found procedural flaws in the relevant summons, including a lack of translation. The Court of Appeal’s ruling resulted in the summons being annulled and in the relevant case against Sarah and Seán   being rejected. In February 2023, a Supreme Court Deputy Prosecutor appealed the decision.

Should the Prosecutor’s appeal be successful, the misdemeanour trial will start anew and the statute of limitations for these charges will be extended by three years.

The post Greece: Prosecution appeal prolongs ordeal of rescue workers Seán Binder and Sarah Mardini appeared first on Amnesty International.

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“Today’s decision offers the authorities a new opportunity to put an end to this ordeal and correct their own wrongdoing by dropping all of the charges, including the more serious felony charges which still await them. The procedural mistakes raised by the Court including failing to provide translation only compound the absurdity of the Greek authorities targeting people who were defending the rights of migrants and refugees.

We urge the Greek authorities once more to drop all of the charges and allow Sarah and Sean to go back to their lives. The criminalization of these brave human rights defenders solely for helping refugees and migrants in need shows Greece and Europe’s callous behaviour towards people seeking safety at their borders.

Nils Muižnieks, Director of European Regional Office, Amnesty International

Over four years have passed since the opening of this farcical investigation, which has left Sarah and Sean’s lives on hold, in a state of uncertainty. Their continued prosecution, with the baseless felony charges still under investigation, raises serious concerns about the true intentions of the authorities. This case is a textbook example of how the criminal justice system can be misused by the authorities to punish and deter the work of human rights defenders.”

Background

The indictment will now be sent back to the prosecution. For Sarah and Seán, the statute of limitations for the remaining misdemeanour charges will expire in February 2023. The investigation into felony charges against the humanitarian workers, including facilitation of irregular entry, membership of a criminal organization and fraud, remains pending.

The post Greece: Humanitarian’s ordeal must now end appeared first on Amnesty International.

“If I can be criminalised for mostly doing little more than handing out bottles of water and smiles, then so can anyone. This trial is not about me and Sara, or even the 22 other defendants. This trial is about the Greek authorities trying to crush compassion and prevent people from seeking safety. But I trust that justice will prevail and we will be able to get on with our lives,” said Seán Binder.

Nils Muižnieks, Director of Amnesty International’s European Regional Office, said: “Sarah and Seán did what any of us should do if we were in their position. Helping people at risk of drowning in one of the deadliest sea routes in Europe and assisting them on the shoreline is not a crime. This trial reveals how the Greek authorities will go to extreme lengths to deter humanitarian assistance and discourage migrants and refugees from seeking safety on the country’s shores, something which we see in a number of European countries. It is farcical that this trial is even taking place. All charges against the rescuers must be dropped without delay.”

After Sarah and Seán were arrested in August 2018, they spent more than 100 days in prison before being released on bail. The upcoming trial relates to misdemeanour charges, including espionage and forgery, which can carry up to eight years in prison.

They are also facing another ongoing investigation over baseless charges of people smuggling, fraud, membership of a criminal organization, and money laundering, which carry a maximum sentence of 20 years’. The investigation has now been open for over four years, during which time their lives have been on hold.

Background

Sarah Mardini

Sarah, who is originally from Syria, arrived in Lesvos as a refugee in 2015. After the engine failed on the boat she was travelling on, Sarah and her sister Yusra saved 18 fellow passengers by pulling the sinking boat to safety. Yusra went on to swim for Team Refugees in the Olympics. The sisters’ story inspired the Netflix film ‘The Swimmers’.

Sarah returned to Greece in 2016 and went on to volunteer at a Greek search and rescue organization, where she met Seán. She now lives and studies in Berlin.

Seán Binder

Seán Binder, a German citizen raised in Ireland, is a certified rescue diver who spent time rescuing migrants and refugees from the sea in Lesvos, Greece, one of the major points of entry to Europe. He is currently working in London.

The trial, which is due to be held at the Court of Appeals of Northern Aegean, in Lesvos, on 10 January, was previously adjourned in November 2021 on procedural grounds. It is expected that the trial will take weeks or possibly months to conclude.

On 9 January 2023, Amnesty International Greece is organizing a public screening of ‘The Swimmers’ at 18.00h local time at Cine Arion, Smirnis 9, Mytilini.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:  

+44 20 7413 5566 press@amnesty.org @amnestypress 

The post Greece: ‘Farcical’ trial of rescue volunteers begins next week appeared first on Amnesty International.

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Asylum-seekers staying in a new EU-funded refugee camp on the island of Samos are being detained illegally by Greek authorities following a yet unpublished decision from the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, based on information received by Amnesty International. 

In line with the decision, since 17 November those without valid government-issued IDs (asylum cards) are barred from leaving the camp for an indefinite period of time. The decision applies to individuals who have had cards withdrawn as a result of unsuccessful asylum applications or newcomers yet to be issued with a card. According to unofficial estimates, around 100 of the approximately 450 residents have been prevented from leaving the prison-like premises for more than two weeks, in violation of their right to liberty. 

“This camp more closely resembles a prison than a place to house people seeking safety. This is a gross misuse of EU money, and a gross abuse of the residents’ rights. 

Adriana Tidona, migration researcher at Amnesty International

The new EU-funded “closed-controlled centre” (KEDN) of Samos has been constructed in an isolated spot 6 km from the main city, Vathi. It can house up to 3000 people and is equipped with a rigid system of containment and surveillance, including double barbed wire metal fencing, CCTV throughout, and the 24/7 presence of patrolling police officers and privately contracted security officers.  

Residents’ movements in and out of the camp, which are only allowed between 8 am and 8 pm, are subject to security checks, and take place via magnetic gates.  

Individuals and families affected by the 17 November decision cannot leave the camp to perform daily chores, attend classes or community activities at the nearby NGO-run “Alpha land”, or to reach the city centre. 

A., an Afghan man from Kabul, staying in the camp with his wife and children, has been in Greece since January 2020. His asylum claim was rejected multiple times and his asylum card withdrawn, leaving him unable to leave the facility. Before being transferred to KEDN, he and his family lived in the “jungle”, a spill-over settlement around the old Samos camp, infamous for its abysmal living conditions.  

Speaking from the container where he lives with his family, he told Amnesty International that there is more security in the new camp, but notes: “They have been treating us like prisoners…You really go insane in this place. You can’t go back. You can’t go forward…I cannot really sleep…All the time we are living life with no purpose, with a lot of anxiety.” For the past five days, only his children have been allowed out of the camp to go to school. 

H., an Afghan man in Greece since February 2020, whose asylum claim was twice rejected, has not left the camp for five days. Before the 17 November decision, he was active outside the camp:“I was studying English and volunteered outside the camp. In the last five days I feel that I am a prisoner. In the old camp, at least, I had my freedom.” 

Amnesty International repeatedly expressed concerns about Greece’s replacement of open camps with “closed controlled centres”, questioning how the policy could be reconciled with human rights standards on the deprivation of liberty. Under international and EU law, asylum-seekers should only be detained as a matter of last resort, after a detailed examination of their individual circumstances, for the shortest time possible and under a procedure prescribed by law which allows them to challenge the decision. 

The residents of Samos camp are being deprived of their liberty automatically and en masse, on untransparent and illegitimate legal grounds, without being able to challenge their confinement, for an indefinite period of time.    

“As we feared, Greek authorities are hiding behind the legally ambiguous concept of so called closed-controlled centres to illegally deprive asylum-seekers of their liberty. We call on Greece to urgently withdraw this decision and lift the restrictions on the residents of Samos camp. The European Commission must also ensure respect for fundamental rights within EU funded facilities,” said Adriana Tidona. 

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:       
Amnesty International press office on press@amnesty.org +32 2 548 27 73 or +32 483 680 812 or press@amnesty.org +44 (0) 20 7413 5566   

Background   

An Amnesty International delegation visited the premises of the Samos “Closed Controlled Island Facility” (in Greek: Κλειστή Ελεγχόμενη Δομή Νήσων, KEDN) on 22 November 2021, on the fifth day of the restrictions, and met some of the affected residents.  

The Samos KEDN was established with the help of 276 million EUR funding allocated by the European Commission for the construction of new facilities for asylum-seekers on the Aegean islands, to replace the existing Government-managed open camps. 

On 27 November, the Greek authorities inaugurated the KEDNs on Leros and Kos. Further KEDNs on Lesvos and Chios will follow.  

In addition to restrictions of movements in Samos, asylum-seekers across Greece have not been provided with any financial assistance for two months after it abruptly stopped when the management of the EU-funded cash assistance programme transferred from UNHCR to the Greek authorities. According to NGOs in Greece, approximately 34,000 asylum seekers are currently affected.  

According to NGOs, since October 2021 Greek authorities have also stopped the provision of food and water to recognized refugees, and to asylum-seekers whose application was rejected.  

The post Greece: Asylum seekers being illegally detained in new EU-funded camp appeared first on Amnesty International.

• Spokespeople available in Lesvos

Reacting to the decision of a court in Lesvos, Greece, to adjourn the case of 24 humanitarian workers, including search and rescue volunteers Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder, who risk 25 years in prison for helping and defending the rights of refugees, Giorgos Kosmopoulos, Senior Campaigner on Migration for Amnesty International said: 

“These trumped-up charges are farcical and should never have resulted in Sarah and Seán appearing in court. Today’s adjournment means that having already waited over three years, this ordeal will continue to drag on for Sarah and Seán, leaving them in limbo. We call for the Greek authorities to uphold their human rights obligations, and drop the charges against Sarah and Seán.”

“Today’s decision is further proof of the absurdity of this case. All we have done is assist people seeking safety at a time of need. After today’s decision, our lives are once again left on hold. 

Seán Binder

Sarah Mardini, a 25-year-old Syrian refugee, and Seán Binder, a 27-year-old German national, face a series of unfair and baseless charges dating from the time they spent volunteering to spot and help people in boats in distress off the coast of Lesvos.  

Greek authorities’ refusal to lift Sarah Mardini’s travel ban means that Sarah has not been able to attend her own trial.

“The injustice of these absurd charges is being further compounded by the Greek authorities’ flagrant violation of Sarah’s right to a fair trial, which includes the fundamental right to attend one’s own trial”, said Giorgos Kosmopoulos.    

“Amnesty International is dismayed by the decision by the Greek authorities to criminalise Sarah and Sean. We stand alongside Seán and Sarah and will continue campaigning until justice is fully delivered, their human rights are respected and upheld and all charges against them dropped.”

Giorgos Kosmopoulos

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:       

Amnesty International press office on press@amnesty.org or +32 483 680 812       

Out of hours contact details       

+44 (0) 20 7413 5566       

email: press@amnesty.org        

twitter: @amnestypress      

Background  

Sarah originally arrived in Lesvos as a refugee in 2015. When the engine of the boat she was on failed, Sarah and her sister saved 18 fellow passengers by dragging the sinking boat to safety. Later, she returned to Greece and went on to volunteer at a Greek search and rescue organization, where she met Seán, a trained diver. Sarah and Seán were arrested in 2018 on numerous charges including smuggling, espionage, unlawful use of radio frequencies, and fraud.

At today’s trial, Sarah and Seán faced charges that can carry a sentence of up to 8 years. They also face felony charges, including people smuggling, fraud, membership of a criminal organisation and money laundering which, if they come to trial, could lead to up to 25 years imprisonment.  

Hundreds of people like Sarah and Seán face criminalization and other obstacles for doing humanitarian work helping refugees and migrants across Europe. In a 2020 report, Amnesty International detailed the numerous ways in which European governments have deployed restrictive, sanctioning and punitive measures against people who defend refugees and migrants’ rights. Dozens of prosecutions have been launched against individuals and NGOs, including Médecins Sans Frontieres, in Italy, Greece, France and Switzerland.  

According to a legal opinion from human rights legal firm Leigh Day, there have been several serious breaches of international human rights law in Seán’s case to date. The Leigh Day legal opinion is available on request.

Free Humanitarians 

Amnesty International Report: Europe: Punishing compassion: Solidarity on trial in Fortress Europe 

Amnesty International campaign, Solidarity on trial: People in Europe are being targeted for helping refugees and migrants 

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Symbolic solidarity actions in Athens on 15 November at 12 local time (at Syntagma Square) and Brussels at 11 CET on 16 November

The trial of two search and rescue volunteers, who risk 25 years in prison for helping refugees, will finally begin on 18 November in Lesvos, Greece.

Sarah Mardini, a 25-year-old Syrian refugee, and Seán Binder, a 27-year-old German national, face a series of unfair and baseless charges dating from the time they spent volunteering spotting and helping boats in distress in Lesvos.

Sarah originally arrived in Lesvos as a refugee in 2015. When the engine of the boat she was on failed, Sarah and her sister saved 18 fellow passengers by dragging the sinking boat to safety. Later, she returned to Greece and went on to volunteer at a Greek search and rescue organization, where she met Seán, a trained diver. Sarah and Seán were arrested in 2018 on numerous charges including smuggling, espionage, unlawful use of radio frequencies, and fraud. They spent more than 100 days in prison before being released on bail in December 2018.

Sarah and Seán did lifesaving humanitarian work, spotting boats in distress off Greek shores and providing those onboard with blankets, water and a warm welcome. The charges they face are farcical and should never have come to trial,

Nils Muižnieks, Director of Amnesty International’s European Regional Office

“This emblematic case demonstrates how far the Greek authorities will go to deter people from helping refugees and migrants. Stopping rescue operations doesn’t stop people from making dangerous journeys, it simply makes those journeys more perilous.”

On 18 November, Sarah and Seán will go on trial for misdemeanour charges that can carry a sentence of up to 8 years. They also face felony charges including ‘people smuggling’, ‘fraud’, ‘being part of a criminal organisation’ and ‘money laundering’ which, if they come to trial, could lead to up to 25 years imprisonment.

According to a legal opinion from human rights legal firm Leigh Day, there have been several serious breaches of international human rights law in Seán’s case to date. Seán approached Leigh Day to commission a legal opinion on the legality in international law of his arrest, pre-trial detention and proposed trial for alleged offences committed whilst volunteering on search and rescue missions for ERCI.

Tessa Gregory, partner at law firm Leigh Day, said: “On the basis of the evidence we have seen, we believe that there have been serious breaches of Seán’s human rights by the Greek authorities in relation to his detention, the charges brought against him and the delays in hearing his case in court. Seán’s case is important as it shows what appears to be a disturbing trend towards criminalising human rights defenders who are working for recognised NGOs seeking to help refugees. We urge the Greek authorities to review Seán’s case immediately to prevent any further potential breaches of his human rights. Urgent reconsideration needs to be given to whether his criminal trial should go ahead at all.”

“The law obliges us to help people in distress at sea. What we did was not heroic, it was normal, and anyone else would do the same in our place. The real victims of European migration policies are the refugees and migrants forced to risk their lives to reach ‘Fortress Europe’.

Seán Binder

Hundreds of people like Sarah and Seán have been criminalized across Europe for doing humanitarian work helping refugees and migrants. In a 2020 report Amnesty International detailed the numerous ways in which European governments have deployed restrictive, sanctioning and punitive measures against people who defend refugees and migrants’ rights. They do so by misusing laws and policies, including the legally ambiguous and inconsistent rules in the so-called EU Facilitators’ Package. Dozens of prosecutions have been launched against individuals and NGOs, including Médecins Sans Frontieres, in Italy, Greece, France and Switzerland.

At the time of writing, the Greek authorities have refused to lift Sarah Mardini’s travel ban which means that Sarah will not be able to attend her own trial.

Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the injustice of the trumped-up charges is being further compounded by a flagrant violation of internationally recognized fair trial standards, in particular the right to not be tried in absentia.  

“Seán and Sarah’s lives are on hold, their futures at risk simply because they showed solidarity and compassion to people in need. Sarah and Seán must not pay the price for Greece’s cruelty at Europe’s borders,’’ said Nils Muižnieks.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:      

Amnesty International press office on press@amnesty.org or +32 483 680 812      

Out of hours contact details      

+44 (0) 20 7413 5566      

email: press@amnesty.org       

twitter: @amnestypress     

Background 

Free Humanitarians

Leigh Day legal opinion available on request

Amnesty International Report: Europe: Punishing compassion: Solidarity on trial in Fortress Europe

Amnesty International campaign, Solidarity on trial: People in Europe are being targeted for helping refugees and migrants

The post Greece: Emblematic search and rescue trial to begin appeared first on Amnesty International.

Responding to a new investigation by Lighthouse Reports which documents how authorities in several European Union (EU) countries have violently rounded up migrants and asylum-seekers and summarily returned them to countries outside EU borders, Jelena Sesar, Balkans Researcher at Amnesty International said:

“This is the latest evidence that unlawful pushbacks and violence against asylum-seekers and migrants are commonplace at the EU’s external borders. In numerous countries, including Greece, Poland, Spain, Croatia, people in search of safety and protection are being met with barbed wire and armed border guards.”

“Lighthouse’s report includes disturbing images of masked police and border officials beating migrants and asylum-seekers with sticks as they force them out of Croatia, in blatant violation of EU law. Yet by their own admission, European Commission funding has been used by Croatian authorities to buy police equipment and even pay the salaries of border officials, rendering the EU complicit in these violations.”

Jelena Sesar, Balkans Researcher at Amnesty International

“While the officials’ clothes are deliberately stripped of identifying insignia, it is clear that their uniforms, weapons and equipment are identical to those used exclusively by the Croatia’s special police, which has been notorious for conducting violent pushbacks for years now.”

European Commission officials, including Commissioner Johansson, said that they were appalled by such inhumane treatment of people on European borders. Yet this summer they allowed Croatia to set up a hollow shell of a monitoring mechanism, which would not ensure that those responsible for violations are brought to justice and held accountable. Greece has recently rejected the idea of setting a mechanism for monitoring human rights, despite Amnesty International documenting pushbacks and violence against refugees and migrants showing they are their de facto border policy.

“It is alarming that the European Commission continues to turn a blind eye to the staggering violation of EU law, and even continues to finance police and border operations in some of these countries. In July for example, the European Commission awarded Croatia a €14 million emergency funding grant, despite officials expressing their horror over Croatia’s inhumane treatment of migrants. These pushbacks, and the funding that facilitates them must end now,” said Jelena Sesar.

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After a complaint from Amnesty International, the European Ombudsman is currently conducting an inquiry into European complicity in Croatia’s border violence against migrants and refugees.

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