Stop Illegal Pushbacks at European Borders

Thousands of migrants are being illegally pushed back at European borders—without the chance to seek asylum, without due process, and often with violence.

This is happening right now.

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What Is Happening at the Borders

Across European borders, people seeking safety are being intercepted and forced back without any formal procedure. Many are denied the opportunity to request asylum, even though this is a fundamental right under international refugee law rights and the right to asylum law.

Instead of being heard, they are silenced.

In many cases, individuals report being subjected to physical violence, having their belongings taken, or being left in unsafe and remote areas. These actions are not isolated incidents. They are part of a broader practice known as illegal pushbacks, also referred to in legal discussions as migrant pushbacks Europe and refugee pushbacks explained.

This is a core issue within EU migration policy and ongoing debates around human rights at borders.

Why This Is Illegal

International law is clear: every person has the right to seek protection.

The principle of non refoulement meaning exists to ensure that no one is returned to a place where they may face danger or persecution. This principle is part of the Refugee Convention law, Geneva Convention refugees law, and broader international refugee law migrants rights frameworks.

Illegal pushbacks directly violate this principle. They bypass legal procedures, deny individuals their rights, and undermine systems designed to protect asylum seekers.

This is why experts refer to pushbacks international law violations and explain why are pushbacks illegal under both EU and international legal frameworks.

These actions are not a matter of interpretation or policy differences. They are unlawful when they prevent access to asylum procedures and violate European law on migrant pushbacks.

Illegal Pushbacks
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This is Not Rare—It’s Systematic

What makes this issue even more urgent is its scale.

Illegal pushbacks are not isolated events. They are increasingly documented across Mediterranean migrant pushbacks, Greece pushbacks, Italy migrant pushbacks, and Spain migrant pushbacks, as well as along North Africa migration routes affected by externalization of borders and border management cooperation.

These practices are part of broader systems of migration flow control and migration crisis management, where enforcement often prioritizes deterrence over protection.

Behind every statistic is a person who was never given the chance to be heard.

Why This Matters

When people are pushed back, the consequences are immediate and severe. They are exposed to further harm, left without protection, and forced into even more dangerous situations along irregular migration routes.

Their rights are not just overlooked—they are actively denied under systems that often ignore migrant human rights violations and weaken refugee rights Europe protections.

When this continues without accountability, it becomes normalized. And when it becomes normalized, it becomes harder to challenge.

We call on policymakers to:

  • Immediately end illegal pushbacks and ensure access to asylum procedures for all arriving at borders (protect asylum seekers / right to asylum)
  • Establish independent monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability at border crossings (stop border violence / border violence migrants)
  • Guarantee legal protections and access to support for all people seeking protection, including interpreters, legal assistance, and fair procedures (asylum seeker rights)
  • Hold authorities accountable when illegal pushbacks, abuse, or violence occur (refugee rights violations examples)
  • By signing this petition, you are urging governments and institutions to respect human rights, protect the right to seek asylum, and manage borders lawfully and safely.

Our Work on the Ground

Through our work, we have collaborated directly with migrants and communities affected by the migration crisis. We have seen firsthand the impact of exclusion, lack of protection, and systemic barriers.

Our approach uses public art, storytelling, and skill-building to bring visibility to these realities. By working alongside those directly affected, we aim not only to raise awareness, but to push for meaningful and lasting change.

This includes highlighting issues such as border violence migrants experience, human rights at borders, and broader failures in global migration governance.

What can you do to help?

By signing this petition, you are joining thousands of supporters to send a clear message directly to policymakers, urging them to end illegal pushbacks and ensure safe, legal access to asylum.

After signing, you’ll get an automatic email confirming your support. Your information will remain secure and will not be shared, sold, or rented to any third parties, except as explained in our privacy policy.

📚 Sources for Further Reading

To learn more from authoritative sources:

📌 In Summary

Illegal pushbacks are border practices that forcibly return asylum seekers and migrants across borders without due process, denying them the chance to seek protection or have their individual cases reviewed. They violate foundational international legal principles like non-refoulement and collective expulsion prohibitions, and they often involve violence, harsh treatment, or abandonment in dangerous conditions. Because of this, illegal pushbacks are considered severe human rights violations and are illegal under international law.