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Migrant crisis: Greece starts deportations to Turkey Migrant crisis: Greece starts deportations to Turkey
(about 1 hour later)
The first boat carrying migrants being deported from Greece has arrived in Turkey as part of an EU plan aimed at easing mass migration to Europe.The first boat carrying migrants being deported from Greece has arrived in Turkey as part of an EU plan aimed at easing mass migration to Europe.
Scores of migrants boarded ferries on the Greek island of Lesbos and arrived in Dikili, western Turkey. Most of the 136 people who left Lesbos and arrived in Dikili, western Turkey, on Monday were Pakistanis.
Frontex, the EU's border agency, told the BBC that most of the 136 people who left Lesbos on Monday were Pakistanis.
Meanwhile, the first group of 16 Syrian migrants has arrived in Germany from Turkey, officials say.
Under the deal, for each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request.Under the deal, for each Syrian migrant returned to Turkey, the EU is due to take in another Syrian who has made a legitimate request.
However, Greek authorities said the first deportees were those who had not applied for asylum, and included citizens from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Morocco. Sixteen Syrian migrants were the first to arrive in Germany from Turkey.
And Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir said there were no Syrians among the first group of migrants sent from Greece. However, Syrians were not among the first group of deportees, Greek authorities said, adding they included citizens from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Morocco who had not applied for asylum.
Another ferry carrying migrants to Turkey is also due to leave the Greek island of Chios on Monday. Turkey's EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir also said no Syrians had been sent from Greece.
The returns were carried out calmly, despite a small protest at the gate of Lesbos port, where activists shouted 'No to deportations' and 'EU shame on you', the BBC's Sarah Rainsford at the scene said.
Migrants await fate on LesbosMigrants await fate on Lesbos
EU-Turkey deal a 'Herculean task'EU-Turkey deal a 'Herculean task'
The crisis in seven chartsThe crisis in seven charts
Another ferry carrying migrants was expected to arrive in Turkey from the Greek island of Chios.
The first returns were carried out calmly, Ewa Moncure, spokeswoman for the EU border agency Frontex, told reporters in Lesbos.
Activists staged small protests there, and some shouted "No to deportations" and "EU shame on you".
In Dikili, demonstrators displayed a banner which read "Stop deportations. Open Borders!"
Under the EU-Turkey deal, migrants arriving illegally in Greece are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.Under the EU-Turkey deal, migrants arriving illegally in Greece are expected to be sent back to Turkey if they do not apply for asylum or if their claim is rejected.
But migrants in Greece have complained of a lack of information about the asylum procedure and some said they were unaware they could be returned. Shortly after the returns started, Greek coast officials rescued two boats near Lesbos with more than 50 migrants, including children and a woman in a wheelchair, Reuters news agency said.
Disputed deal
Migrants in Greece have complained of a lack of information about the asylum procedure and some said they were unaware they could be returned.
Frontex has less than one-tenth of the staff needed to do the job, the Associated Press reported.Frontex has less than one-tenth of the staff needed to do the job, the Associated Press reported.
At the scene: Mark Lowen, BBC News, western TurkeyAt the scene: Mark Lowen, BBC News, western Turkey
Both Turkey and Greece have made a panicked rush to meet this deadline - and neither country is really ready.Both Turkey and Greece have made a panicked rush to meet this deadline - and neither country is really ready.
Only a fraction of the necessary staff have arrived on the Greek islands to accompany the process and in Turkey the preparation is still sketchy.Only a fraction of the necessary staff have arrived on the Greek islands to accompany the process and in Turkey the preparation is still sketchy.
Two tents have been erected in Dikili to register the first group from Lesbos, with similar facilities further south to receive migrants sent from Chios.Two tents have been erected in Dikili to register the first group from Lesbos, with similar facilities further south to receive migrants sent from Chios.
The Turkish interior minister says non-Syrians will be deported while Syrians will be sent to refugee camps where they will replace those who will be directly resettled in Europe as part of the "one for one" plan.The Turkish interior minister says non-Syrians will be deported while Syrians will be sent to refugee camps where they will replace those who will be directly resettled in Europe as part of the "one for one" plan.
But there are still grave doubts over whether the deal will hold and if the migrants will be properly treated when they arrive here.But there are still grave doubts over whether the deal will hold and if the migrants will be properly treated when they arrive here.
The arrangement has alarmed rights groups, who say Turkey is not a safe country for migrants.The arrangement has alarmed rights groups, who say Turkey is not a safe country for migrants.
Amnesty International has accused Turkey of illegally returning Syrians to their homeland, something Turkey denies.Amnesty International has accused Turkey of illegally returning Syrians to their homeland, something Turkey denies.
Save the Children called the deal "illegal and inhumane", saying people told them they would kill themselves if sent back to Turkey.Save the Children called the deal "illegal and inhumane", saying people told them they would kill themselves if sent back to Turkey.
Since the deal was struck in March, about 400 people have been arriving each day on the Greek islands.Since the deal was struck in March, about 400 people have been arriving each day on the Greek islands.
Tens of thousands have been stuck in Greece after northern countries closed their borders. There have been clashes in camps amid dire conditions.Tens of thousands have been stuck in Greece after northern countries closed their borders. There have been clashes in camps amid dire conditions.
One million migrants and refugees have entered the EU by boat from Turkey to Greece since last year.One million migrants and refugees have entered the EU by boat from Turkey to Greece since last year.
Many are keen to travel to Germany and other northern EU countries and experts have warned the deal could force them to take alternative, more dangerous routes.Many are keen to travel to Germany and other northern EU countries and experts have warned the deal could force them to take alternative, more dangerous routes.
In Austria meanwhile, pro-migrant protesters clashed with police at a border crossing with Italy.In Austria meanwhile, pro-migrant protesters clashed with police at a border crossing with Italy.
It comes after Austrian Defence Minister Peter Doskozil said soldiers would be deployed at a key transit point, saying the EU's outer borders were not properly protected.It comes after Austrian Defence Minister Peter Doskozil said soldiers would be deployed at a key transit point, saying the EU's outer borders were not properly protected.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.
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