6 March 2022, Sunday
Brussels Central Station – Crossroad of Europe
13:00 – 17:00
What are pushbacks?
The Geneva Convention and the human rights of refugees have been repeatedly violated by pushing them back both in the Aegean Sea and in the Evros River. Amnesty International revealed that people who carry out pushbacks are often unmarked, use violent methods such as arbitrary detention, stripped search, the extortion of belongings and money, ill-treatment, and torture. These practices demonstrate that this is a de facto border management policy of Greece, as the continued pushbacks require the coordination of multiple authorities. Consequently, many lives were lost, families were ruined, and many ended up facing ill-treatment, torture and many years of sentences in prison without following fair trial procedures on the other side of the border.
Public Art Event “A Border Conversation“
To raise awareness for the pushbacks happening at the EU border, a collective of civil society organisations will organise an art event in the public space. Artists will encourage the public debate via an art installation by Nell Berger inspired by the pushback victims. People who leave the table can take some objects home in the hope that they will remember the urgency of the situation at the border. The idea of inviting the public to the table is to start a conversation about the pushbacks. What is their opinion about the situation? Should it get priority within the European Parliament as human rights are violated in Europe? Should journalists get access to the border area so they can report about the situation? How can we create more awareness?’
The event is for everyone with the aim to bring together artists, victims themselves, policymakers, members of human rights and refugee organisations and activists, as well as interested members of the public.
Join us to create more awareness of this grave situation and to share the stories of victims.
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