In a shocking twist in human Rights, the European Court of Rights castigated Belgium for having sent an Afghan interpreter seeking asylum back to Greece, notorious for its poor treatment of immigrants. In effect, the interpreter suffered what the EU Observer quoted as “degrading and inhuman treatment.”
The interpreter arrived in Greece in 2008 and later applied for asylum in Belgium. Having warned the Belgian authorities that he would be detained and subject to inhumane treatment should he be denied asylum, he was not permitted to appeal and was sent back to Greece, where he was locked up with 20 detainees in an isolated room, received very little food, access to toilets, or allowed fresh air.
The EU judges ruled that Belgium and Greece violated the European Convention on Human rights in respect to those seeking asylum, and were fined 6000 euros (Belgium) and 30,000 euros (Greece).
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