As part of EU deal, Greece sends first group of migrants back to Turkey

On Monday, two boats filled with 131 migrants left the Greek island of Lesbos for Dikili, Turkey, under a European Union deal that aims to slow down the flow of refugees and migrants into Europe.

A spokeswoman for Frontex, the EU border agency, said most of the passengers were from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The deal maintains that all migrants and refugees who come to Greece illegally will be sent back to Turkey, and in return the EU will give the country more money to take care of the refugees. Additionally, for every Syrian refugee deported because they did not apply for asylum or their claim was rejected, the EU will accept another Syrian refugee who has made a legitimate request, the BBC reports. The Turkish interior minister said non-Syrians will be deported back to their home country.

Last year, more than 1 million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe. Several rights groups are concerned about this EU deal, saying that Turkey isn't adequately prepared to take the the migrants back, and they question the treatment the migrants will receive upon their return.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up