Greece sea barriers deterring migrants is a violation of human rights

In response to the proposals from the Greek government to install floating barriers in the sea to deter migrants and refugees, Evelien van Roemburg, Oxfam's Europe Migration Campaign manager, said:

"This is an extremely worrying development that would be a violation of the basic human right for people to seek protection and put even more lives at risk.

"People would be forced to make more dangerous crossings through deep and treacherous waters.

"Many of those making the crossing have fled violence, torture and incredible suffering and let us not forget, a large number of those attempting to reach the Greek islands are children.

"The proposed 500,000 euros budget for this would be far better spent trying to improve the dire conditions in the Greek Island camps where thousands of people are cramped in unsanitary, unsafe and inhumane conditions."