ISTANBUL (AP) — Human Rights Watch is urging the EU to stop returning Syrian refugees to Turkey citing a lack of refugee rights.

It said in a statement Monday that refugees in Turkey lack access to jobs, education and health care.

The group's Stephanie Gee said "it is hardly surprising that many are not getting the support they desperately need to maintain livelihoods," considering Turkey is host to over 2 million Syrian refugees.

An EU-Turkey agreement allows Greece to return Syrian asylum seekers to Turkey on the basis it is a "safe third country."

HRW said "safe" should mean not just protection from war or prosecution, but should also include the right to work, health care and education.

The deal is part of efforts to stem the tide of migrants to Europe.