US EditionGreece's Temporary Asylum Ban Sparks Controversy Amid Crete Migration Surge
GREECE, JUL 11 – Greece halted asylum processing for North African migrants amid over 500 rescues last week, aiming to curb irregular entries and combat trafficking networks, officials said.
- Last week, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis defended the decision to halt processing asylum requests from North Africa as Greece passes stricter laws targeting sea arrivals.
- A surge in migrant arrivals from North Africa prompted Greece to halt asylum processing, as the Coast Guard rescued over 500 migrants off Gavdos and authorities face urgent enforcement challenges.
- Greek authorities transferred 515 migrants, including 85 minors, to reception centers, and arrested eight Egyptian traffickers, highlighting enforcement efforts amid rising arrivals.
- Mitsotakis called for stronger EU support and deeper cooperation with North African governments to address migration pressures, indicating a need for coordinated regional action.
- Mitsotakis emphasizes the need for urgent EU coordination and closer Libya cooperation to address migration pressures long-term.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Greece's Temporary Asylum Ban Sparks Controversy Amid Crete Migration Surge
Greek lawmakers have voted to temporarily halt asylum requests from North African migrants arriving by sea, a decision criticized by rights groups as illegal. The move follows a surge in migrants reaching Crete and marks a tightening of Greece’s migration policies under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government.
“Illegal and Inhumane”: Rights Groups Condemn Greece for Halting Processing of Asylum Claims
Human rights defenders are sounding the alarm as Greece moves to suspend the processing of asylum applications of people arriving from North Africa for at least three months. Greece’s migration minister said anyone violating the policy would face a choice between jail or being immediately expelled. The International Rescue Committee said, “Seeking refuge is a human right; preventing people from doing so is both illegal and inhumane.” It’s not un…
The Greek island of Crete becomes an increasingly frequented destination of refugee boats from Libya. In the first half of 2025, 7300 people arrived, which is an increase of 350 percent compared to the previous year. Why this is so, migration researcher Judith Kohlenberger has now analyzed. "The coast of Libya has been known for years as part of the smuggler route. The country is dangerous for migrants, no one wants to stay in Libya," she said t…
Greece cracks down on irregular migration, says it’s "not an open corridor to Europe"
Parliament also passed stricter laws on Friday targeting sea arrivals from North Africa. The rescued 515 migrants — including 85 minors — were transferred to reception centers in Lavrio, Evros, Diavata, and Malakasa.
Greece's largest island of Crete is facing a massive wave of refugees. Libya wants to put pressure on the EU. The Greek government is planning hard and constitutionally dubious measures.
The Greek Parliament approved this Friday with 177 votes in favour of the conservative group New Democracy and Greek Solution, 74 votes against and 42 abstentions, an amendment aimed at curbing the growing migratory flow , especially the one arriving on the islands of Crete and Gavdos on the so-called Libyan route. The controversial measure provides for the impossibility of seeking asylum for immigrants arriving irregularly mainly from the coast…
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