Council of Europe Commissioner urges Greek MPs to reject migrant bill
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a strong appeal to the Greek Parliament to reject a controversial legislative amendment concerning migrants arriving from North Africa.
In his statement on Thursday, O’Flaherty warned that the proposed bill—which would suspend the registration of asylum claims for individuals arriving by sea from North Africa for an initial period of three months, and allow their forced return without registration to their country of origin or transit—risks legitimizing the return of people to situations where they face torture and other serious human rights violations. He stressed this would be in violation of numerous international legal obligations.
O’Flaherty emphasized that the bill breaches commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the 1951 Refugee Convention, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
He also expressed concern about additional measures announced recently by Prime Minister Mitsotakis, including the detention of all individuals affected by the bill, which could further violate international human rights law.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by increased arrivals to Gavdos and Crete over the past six months, the Commissioner noted that the situation could have been more manageable if authorities had addressed reception facility shortages earlier.
He concluded by underscoring that any measures taken must comply with existing international legal standards, ensure respect for the human rights of affected individuals, provide thorough individual assessment of protection needs, and guarantee access to protection for those eligible.
