Thousands rally in Spain against EU-Turkey refugee deal
-
Demonstrators protest against the EU-Turkey deal to deport refugees back to Turkey, in Madrid, Spain, March 16, 2016. (Photo by AFP)
Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Spain to express their anger at the recent draft agreement between Brussels and Ankara regarding the expulsion of refugees from Europe.
According to organizers, some 5,000 people staged a nationwide protest across more than 50 Spanish cities on Wednesday, demanding the reconsideration of the EU-Ankara deal, reached last week which entails sending thousands of refugees stranded in Greece back to Turkey.
Under the agreement, reportedly still under negotiation, Turkey is to accept all refugees in exchange for a sum of money, faster visa-free travel to Europe for Turks and the speeding up of European Union (EU) membership talks with Ankara.
In the Spanish capital of Madrid, people from some 16 non-governmental organizations and 120 groups gathered to rally against the deal, holding placards and chanting “Refugees welcome” and “This agreement is illegal.”
The protesters said the EU initiative is in breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and the Geneva Convention for refugees.
ME
