Greece suspends asylum applications from African migrants amid rising irregular arrivals
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday that Greece will temporarily suspend the processing of asylum applications from irregular migrants arriving by boat from Africa. The suspension, effective immediately, will last for an initial period of three months.
Addressing the Hellenic Parliament, Mitsotakis described the move as an "emergency response to an emergency situation," following consultations with Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris earlier in the day.
“All migrants who illegally enter the country will be arrested and detained,” Mitsotakis stated. “This is a message of determination to both traffickers and their potential clients: the passage to Greece is closing.”
As part of a broader strategy, the government plans to establish one or two permanent closed detention centres for migrants on the island of Crete. Talks will also continue with Libyan authorities to explore cooperative efforts in curbing the departure of migrant boats from the North African coast.
The Greek armed forces, Mitsotakis added, are prepared to assist in intercepting or returning boats when possible. He emphasized that Greece's response would be both “legal and very severe,” underscoring the country’s right to protect its borders and uphold national security.
The announcement comes amid growing concerns across Europe regarding migration management and border control. Human rights organizations have previously raised concerns about the legality of detaining asylum seekers and the potential implications for international refugee law.
The Greek government maintains that its measures are necessary to manage irregular migration flows and ensure public safety, while promising to keep Parliament and international partners informed of further developments.
