Human trafficking

Turkey Cracking Down On Refugee Smuggling

At least one of Turkey’s border is now being controlled more tightly. Following an agreement with the European Union, Turkey is cracking down on people smuggling and curbing the flow of refugees to Greece.

Three smugglers and 1,300 Afghans, Iranians, Iraqis, and Syrians were apprehended near Ayvacık, a Turkish town to the north of the Greek island of Lesbos on 30 November.

The UN reports that 425,000 people were smuggled from Turkey to Lesbos this year alone, and 300,000 more to other Greek islands. The EU has been highly critical of Turkey for not doing enough to stem the flow of refugees through its borders.

On 29 November, the EU has pledged over $3 billion to Turkey in exchange for tightening border security and stemming the flow of refugees.