pushback events which have affected approximately 4,500 individuals. In 2020, BVMN noted that almost The three princiles [ at International border] are Priority of Human Rights, Non-Discrimination and Assistance and Protection from Harm. 90% of all Greek pushback testimonies contained one or more types of torture or ill- treatment and therefore violates articles 1, 2.2 and 3.1 of the United Nations Convention Against Torture under 7 topics : excessive and disproportionate force, electric discharge weapons, forced undressing, threats or violence with a firearm, inhuman treatment inside police vehicles, inhuman treatment inside a detention facility, and confiscation of money. Excessive and disproportionate force promote and fulfill human rights, while ensuring that they are at the centre of According to BVMN, 89% of refoule- all border governance measures. Within ments carried out by the Greek autho- the second principal, non-discrimination rities in 2020 are cases of disproporti- should be at the heart of all border go- onate and excessive use of force. This vernance measures. Based on the third alarming rate illustrates that the use of principle, states should protect and as- force in an abusive and unlawful manner sist migrants at international borders has become normal. Examples of dispro- without any form of discrimination and portionate police violence that have should take appropriate measures aga- been documented are excessive beatin- inst the principle of non-refoulement gs, water immersion, the physical abuse and arbitrary and collective expulsion. of women and children, the use of metal rods, batons, and heavy boots. Some Unfortunately, these principles are not testify that their hands were tied to the always respected. Border Violence Moni- bars of the cells and that a helmet was toring Network is a coalition composed placed on their head before being bea- of 13 NGOs whose aim is monitoring and ten to avoid visible consequences. These documenting illegal pushbacks and poli- assaults can leave permanent marks and ce violence along the EU’s external bor- extremely severe damages such as bro- ders. In 2019, BVMN has documented 89 ken bones or lapses of consciousness. 3