ATHENS, Greece (AP) — In a significant ruling handed down on Tuesday, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Greece illegally deported a Turkish woman back to Turkey and described the practices involved as systematic. This landmark decision could reshape the approach Europe takes towards migration, particularly as Greece and several other European Union countries have been advocating for stricter immigration measures amidst increasing migrant flows.

The case involved a Turkish woman, referred to by her initials A.R.E., who was awarded €20,000 ($21,000) by the court after it determined that she was expelled in 2019 without being given an opportunity to seek asylum. The court noted that there were strong indications of a systematic practice of “pushbacks” of migrants, particularly along the Evros region, where numerous reports have surfaced regarding such forced deportations.

This judgment has sparked intensified discussions around the ethics of Greece's border enforcement methodologies. The term “pushbacks” refers to the summary expulsion of migrants without due process, a practice that has drawn considerable criticism from human rights groups. The ruling sheds light on an ongoing and desperate migration issue; Greece has recorded over 60,000 illegal migrant arrivals in 2024, demonstrating a surge of nearly 50 percent from the previous year, as noted by Newsweek.

While A.R.E.’s victory in court is notable, the ECHR dismissed an accompanying claim from a young Afghan man who alleged he was illegally returned to Turkey in 2020 when he was just a minor. His attorney criticized this outcome as “profoundly unjust,” asserting that it allowed the Greek government to evade accountability through blanket denials of allegations.

Greek officials have staunchly defended their immigration policies, asserting their compliance with international law. Following a four-month examination, Greece's National Transparency Authority reported no evidence to substantiate the claims of illegal pushbacks. However, the U.N. Refugee Agency and multiple human rights advocates have called for more rigorous investigations into repeated allegations of these irregular deportations.

Niamh Keady-Tabbal, a lawyer representing the Afghan applicant, emphasized the need for greater accountability, stating, “It is quite unjust that such a cynical position of blanket denial can serve in practice to shield the Greek government from accountability.” Greece's differing narrative regarding its border policies, alongside pressures for expanded border security measures funded by the EU, creates uncertainty about the future handling of migration in the region.