From 1 May to 31 August 2023, the PRAB partners documented a staggering 9,515 unlawful pushbacks at the EU's external borders. They interviewed 2,030 individuals for its seventh report, confirming that illegal pushbacks are being used as a tool to manage borders in Europe.

Reports of violence, inhumane and degrading treatment were rife in the report titled "Surprisingly Surprised," which was released last week.

Those interviewed said that they had been beaten by the police, bitten by guard dogs, and robbed of all their belongings - including IDs and mobile phones. Some said they had been humiliated and left in the forest with no food or water.

One out of three interviewees reportedly were children.

True number of pushbacks likely higher

The PRAB report also brought new data reconfirming systematic pushback practices at multiple EU borders, as well as evidence of denying people access to asylum procedures.

"I am deeply concerned about the human rights violations and suffering experienced by those seeking to cross Europe's borders to at least have their basic human rights to seek asylum", said Charlotte Slente, Secretary General at the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

While the number of pushbacks is considered high, PRAB believes that the documented data is still only representative of a fraction of the actual rate of illegal pushbacks occurring at the EU's external borders.

PRAB meanwhile also called on European governments to stop acting "surprised" every time they are presented with the facts on border violations and pushbacks, urging them to take immediate action to uphold international human rights standards and ensure the protection and well-being of individuals at their borders.