"We have documented the arbitrary detention of some of the most vulnerable people on Turkish soil," said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International Director of Europe and Central Asia.
"Pressuring refugees and asylum seekers to return to countries like Syria and Iraq is not only unconscionable, but it's also in direct breach of international law."
The European Union has already been accused by human rights groups of "outsourcing its dirty work" following the US$3.2 billion deal in which Turkey was offered money in return for containing more Syrian refugees.
Turkey has detained + deported #refugees from centres partly funded by EU, Amnesty reports: https://t.co/oO9bwGuJe3 pic.twitter.com/1TYup1DzY7
— AmnestyInternational (@AmnestyOnline) December 16, 2015
Amnesty International has since issued a warning to the EU that it is in danger of being complicit in serious human rights violations against refugees and asylum seekers.
"By engaging Turkey as a gatekeeper for Europe in the refugee crisis, the EU is in danger of ignoring and now encouraging serious human rights violations. EU-Turkey migration-related cooperation should cease until such violations are investigated and ended," said John Dalhuisen.
It's not just financial assistance that the European Union has offered Turkey.
Sweetening the deal, the EU traded talk of visa restrictions and EU membership, as long as Turkey ramps up its efforts to stop people smugglers trafficking refugees into Europe — instead accommodating them in Turkish camps.
"It is shocking that EU money is being used to fund an unlawful detention and return program. The EU must ensure that its funding and migration cooperation with Turkey promotes rather than undermines the rights of refugees and migrants," said Dalhuisen.
Amnesty International documented three cases of physical abuse in detention centers, amid numerous anecdotal reports of ill-treatment.
Talks between Turkish and EU officials resume on Thursday 17 December.
