Greece systematically abuses asylum seekers’ human rights, according to a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. Norway deported 260 Dublin II asylum seekers last year. Many live on the streets, and lack food and clothing.

“Norway has returned a large number of people even though it should have known better. We believe it was probably aware conditions were not suitable for deportation,” Andreas Furuseth, legal advisor at the Norwegian Organisation for Asylum Seekers (NOAS), tells NRK.

The Immigration Appeals Board (UNE) suspended all deportations to Greece in 2010 following calls by the court in Strasbourg. Moreover, Pål Lønnseth, Deputy Minister (Statssekretær) at the Ministry of Justice, said last month that he believes refugees could have suffered human rights abuses.

“This probably applies to some, but it cannot be taken for granted this means everyone. It is important to look at when they were sent back, amongst other things. As late as autumn 2008, the same court ruled return was unproblematic.”

Politicians have called for Norway to apologise and retrieve its other asylum seekers. Lawyer Arild Humlen, who is also representing the three refugees, believes Norway is obliged to. He warns his clients will be claiming compensation when the case comes to court.

“How much Norway has to pay for these violations it has verifiably committed will also have to be clarified,” he says.

NOAS’ Andreas Furuseth tells The Foreigner it is assisting Mr Humlen, saying, “there will probably be more.”

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