Table of Contents Introduction5 Methodology and challenges for the investigation9 Chapter 1. Frontex at the Greece-Turkey border: denial of responsibility?13 A - Background to Frontex activities in the region13 1 - A Frontex laboratory at the Greece-Turkey border 14 2 - Funding Frontex operations: prioritising surveillance and security systems21 3 - Joint Operation Poseidon Operational Plans: limited access to information and a multiplicity of actors22 B - Illegal Practices in the Aegean Sea: Who is responsible?25 1 - Access to EU territory and interceptions at sea25 ‘Early detection’ 25 Dissuasion by Greek coast guards: pre-border or within Greek waters? 27 Push backs 28 Presence of Greek special forces during deportation operations 31 2 –Risks of human rights violations in the framework of Operation Poseidon33 Geographic scope of intervention by Frontex 33 Objectives of Frontex operations at sea 33 Operations in breach of international law34 ‘Screening’ (identification): facilitating removal or refoulement?35 Debriefing: an intrusive practice38 3 – Violations recognised but responsibility denied40 Procedure on “serious violations” 40 Reports of violations at the Greece-Turkey border 42 Lack of clarity on liability 43 Chapter 2. Insufficient legal reforms in the region48 A - Turkey: Migrants stranded in a country in transition48 1 - Migration policy and border management in Turkey49 The new Turkish Law on Immigration and Asylum 51 Detention of migrants 53 Refugee rights 53 2 - Uncertainties around the implementation of the 2013 Law in the Turkish context55 New policy: practical aspects and uncertainties 55 Refugees in Turkey: The war in Syria and its consequences 57