Greece's hard migration policy: prison for rejected asylum seekers!

Greece's hard migration policy: prison for rejected asylum seekers!

Pylos, Griechenland - Greece Prime Minister Kyriako's Mitsotakis has announced comprehensive measures against irregular migration. These new regulations, which are drawn up in the context of a draft law by Migration Minister Makis Voridis, stipulate, among other things, that illegally entered persons or rejected asylum seekers must expect stricter punishments. The Council of Ministers is currently advising on the draft law that could change the legal framework in order to better manage the refugee crisis.

The new law stipulates that the stay without a valid residence permit is caused by an administrative offense to a criminal offense. The rejected asylum seekers threaten prison terms of up to two years, which can be extended under certain circumstances. In addition, these prison terms cannot be suspended, except in the event of a voluntary departure or if deportation is possible. So far, the highest duration for rejected asylum seekers was limited to 18 months.

changes in the deadlines and surveillance

The deadline for the departure of rejected asylum seekers is shortened from 25 to 14 days. During this time, those affected are to be monitored with electronic ankle cuffs. In addition, it will be possible in the future to also carry out deportations in transit states, provided that these are considered safe, such as Turkey. A return to Greece after deportation can be finished between 10,000 and 30,000 euros.

An essential element of the reform is the deletion of the regulation for toleration of rejected asylum seekers for seven years. This is seen as part of a harder attitude towards migration that the Greek government has been pursuing since the so -called refugee crisis in 2015/2016. According to estimates, many tens of thousands of illegal migrants in Greece are currently still living, while the situation in the overcrowded initial receptionists and regular detention centers complicates the implementation of these new provisions.

Current migration situation

The arrivals of irregular migrants from Turkey fell by 30 percent compared to the previous year in the first four months of 2023, 8,295 people arrived. Interestingly, the arrivals over the Mediterranean from North Africa are increasing, while the Egyptians are now presenting the second largest group of irregular migrants this year, followed by Afghans. Some of these developments could be influenced by the strict border controls and returns that were introduced as part of the 2016 EU Turkey Agreement.

Germany also plans to send migrants back to Greece with protection status that have traveled to Germany. A decision by the Federal Administrative Court has shown that single, young and not vulnerable men is considered reasonable to deport deportation to Greece.

social and political reaction

The Greek government regards the sunken entry of migrants and asylum seekers as the success of their "hard but fair" immigration policy. This leads to a decline in the absolute number of migrants since the 2015/2016 crisis and the closure of some recording facilities, but there are also legitimate concerns about the legal and humanitarian implications of this policy. Critics indicate the increase in "pushback" practices that violate international human rights obligations and make access to asylum procedures more difficult.

The public image of refugees has changed significantly since 2015. The initial solidarity has often made space for an increasing xenophobia, which has led to a critical and partially negative attitude towards asylum seekers. Humanitarian actors are exposed to increasing legal challenges that not only make support for migrants more difficult, but also raise questions about the responsibility of the Greek government.