According to reports by Politico, Der Spiegel, and several other media outlets, Afghan and Syrian refugees have been subjected to abuse and mistreatment in Turkish deportation centres.

These centres were constructed with financial assistance from the European Union, but European officials have allegedly ignored the conditions within them.

The findings indicate that Türkiye, using resources and equipment provided by the EU, has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan and Syrian refugees.

According to these reports, at least €213 million of EU funds were spent on the construction and refurbishment of 30 deportation centres in Türkiye. Refugees in these centres face overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, abuse, and torture.

Afghan and Syrian refugees are often coerced through violence and force into signing documents for their “voluntary” return.

These refugees have reported being beaten and held in cold rooms for up to 12 hours in the deportation centres. They claim that Turkish authorities ignored their basic rights.

The investigations also revealed that these refugees find it extremely difficult to contact a lawyer or family members.

Despite extensive evidence of human rights violations in Turkish deportation centres, senior EU officials have repeatedly overlooked the issue.