UNHCR suspends activities in former migrant "hotspot" centers in Greece

The UN refugee agency UNHCR said Tuesday that its activities in "hotspot" centers which were used to welcome and register migrants arriving on Greek islands had been suspended since these sites became detention facilities under new provisions set by the recent EU-Turkey migration deal.

"Accordingly, and in line with our policy on opposing mandatory detention, we have suspended some of our activities at all closed centers on the islands," the agency said in a statement.

"This includes provision of transport to and from these sites," it added.

The deal reached between the EU and Turkey to stem the influx of refugees and migrants into Europe by way of Greece came into effect on March 20.

Both parties agreed to end irregular migration from Turkey to the EU so as to break the business model of the smugglers and avoid putting migrant lives at risk.

According to the agreement, all new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey into the Greek islands are to be returned to Turkey.

Both parties also agreed that for every Syrian sent back to Turkey from the Greek islands, another would be resettled from Turkey in the EU.

The UN agency voiced its concerns that the deal was being implemented before required safeguards were in place in Greece.

The agency added "We will continue to assist Greek authorities to develop an adequate reception capacity."

A total of 147,437 refugee and migrant arrivals have been recorded in Greece so far this year, while 366 people have died when attempting to cross the narrow strait of water separating Turkey and Greece. Endit