Ireland must speak out and welcome those trapped on Greek islands

For 18 months I worked as a doctor on  Lesvos, with people contained in Moria refugee camp and its replacement camp after the September 2020 fire. What I witnessed there was systematic dehumanisation and cruelty

The Kara Tepe refugee camp on Lesbos, Greece, where about 7,600 refugees and migrants were moved after fire devastated the Moria refugee camp. Picture: AP/Panagiotis Balaskas

This day five years ago, the EU’s migration deal with Turkey was agreed, setting out strategies of containment and deterrence for desperate people trying to reach safety and a better life in Europe.

The EU-Turkey deal hasn’t stopped people trying to reach Europe, but it has caused immense harm to the tens of thousands of people who have been trapped in inhumane and oppressive refugee camps on five islands in Greece.