The Council of Europe has called on Greece to implement stronger legal protection measures at its borders and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to “summary returns” following reports of continued illegal deportations of migrants. These deportations have been subject to growing international criticism.
The recommendation was made by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, following his visit to Greece in February. During the visit, O’Flaherty raised concerns about ongoing practices of pushbacks – the forced, summary return of migrants at both land and sea borders.
The memorandum released by the Council emphasized that the return of individuals without a proper identification process prevents EU members from determining whether they might be returned in violation of human rights.
“The return of people without conducting an individual identification process prevents EU member states from determining if they may be returned in violation of human rights,” the document states.
Greece has consistently denied the accusations of forced deportations, maintaining that border control measures are in line with international law. The Greek police have stated that their forces are only involved in lawfully preventing illegal border crossings while migrants are still in Turkish territory and have not yet reached Greece.
The European Court of Human Rights took legal action after ruling in January that Greece violated the European Convention on Human Rights by systematically deporting migrants without proper procedures.
In response to the criticisms, Greek authorities have tightened their immigration policies. Migration Minister Makis Voridis announced plans to extend the maximum detention period for rejected asylum seekers from 18 to 24 months.
“An illegal migrant whose asylum request is rejected and who does not leave the country will face a much harsher institutional environment than what currently exists – essentially, to encourage voluntary departure,” Voridis said in an interview with local television.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported rescuing 158 migrants from three small boats south of the island of Crete, with help from nearby commercial vessels and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).
