Greek Parliament Approves New Law Tightening Rules for Rejected Asylum Seekers
On Wednesday, the Greek parliament approved a new law stating that undocumented migrants arriving from countries the EU deems safe will no longer be eligible for asylum. Instead, they will be required to return home or face up to two years in detention and fines reaching €10,000.
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris defended the legislation, arguing that the rights of Greek citizens to safeguard their country take precedence over those of individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected.
The measure reflects the conservative government’s tougher migration stance under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who has expanded border fences and strengthened sea patrols since taking office in 2019. Greece, once the epicenter of Europe’s 2015 migration crisis, has seen reduced flows in recent years, but a rise in arrivals from North Africa through Crete and Gavdos led to a temporary halt in asylum processing earlier this year.
The UN refugee agency warned that the law could penalize people in genuine need of protection and urged Greece to adopt fast-track procedures instead. Meanwhile, rights groups continue to accuse Athens of pushbacks at land and sea borders, allegations now under review by the EU’s border agency Frontex.
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