Greece: Mitarakis Rejects Border Monitor Mechanism as New Reports of Abuse Emerge – Greek Facilities Empty Out while People Move Onwards

1st October 2021 | News

Amid new reports of abuse, Minister for Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis rejects the need for a human rights monitoring mechanism at Greek borders, stating that it would infringe upon national sovereignty. While the number of people in the Greek island hotspots...

Greece: Illegal Pushbacks Continue as Arrivals Drop Under “Strict but Fair” Immigration Policy – New “Closed Controlled” Camps Faces Massive Criticism

24th September 2021 | News

Against a backdrop of systematic pushbacks, the number of arrivals to the Aegean islands has decreased by almost 80%. Meanwhile, Minister of Migration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis is praising the efficiency of a “strict but fair immigration policy” defined by prevention...

Greece: Renewed Demands for Human Rights Monitoring, Pushbacks Continue with NGO Oversight Restricted, Refugee Children Risk Exclusion

17th September 2021 | News

The European Commission has reiterated its demand for a rights monitoring mechanism as a precondition for the release of migration management funding for Greece. Systematic pushbacks continue with limited scrutiny and oversight. With kids back in school after the...

Greece: Appeals Committee Rejects ‘Safe Third Country’ Return of Afghan Family, Pushbacks Continue with NGO Monitoring Prevented

10th September 2021 | News

An appeals committee has rejected the return of a vulnerable Afghan family, ruling that Turkey could not be considered a safe third country for them. Systematic violent pushbacks by Greek authorities continue as the parliament has approved legislation preventing NGO...

Greece: Council of Europe Concerned Over Crackdown on NGOs, Human Rights Monitoring a Precondition for Additional Funding, Pushbacks Continue, Afghan Refugees Stuck in Limbo

3rd September 2021 | News

Council of Europe urges the Greek parliament to reconsider legislative proposals that hinder “life-saving” work and human rights monitoring by NGOs. According to European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, the monitoring of human rights is a precondition...