In response to a staggering rise in migrant arrivals, Greece has announced a three-month suspension on asylum applications from North Africa. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared that all arrivals by boat would be met with arrest and detention. The announcement comes in light of an increase of 350% in migrant landings on Greek islands since the beginning of the year, with 2,000 individuals arriving in Crete within mere days. The government cites an urgent need for emergency measures, claiming that current conditions strain local infrastructure and resources.
Greece Implements Temporary Asylum Suspension Amid Surge in Migrant Arrivals
Greece Implements Temporary Asylum Suspension Amid Surge in Migrant Arrivals
Greece's government halts asylum claims from North Africa as migrant arrivals soar, escalating a humanitarian crisis.
Mitsotakis stated that the country's measures mirror those enacted in 2020, which limited immigration across the land border with Turkey. Recent figures indicate that around 9,000 migrants have arrived since the start of 2025, prompting officials to emphasize a "clear message" that migration from North Africa is unwelcome. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris echoed this sentiment on social media, urging potential migrants to reconsider their journey.
Local authorities in Crete face immense challenges as they accommodate hundreds of migrants in inadequate facilities, including a market hall, raising concerns about health and safety, particularly for families with young children. The ongoing tourist season complicates the redistribution of migrants across Greece, limiting travel options.
Despite this crisis, talks between Greek, Italian, and Maltese officials and Libyan government representatives to address the surge in migrant departures were thwarted, leading to further calls for cooperation with Libyan authorities to combat departures. However, human rights organizations have voiced strong criticism against European nations for their dealings with Libyan authorities, highlighting the perils that migrants face in detention centers upon interception. Amnesty International condemned these measures, arguing they neglect the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees in pursuit of stringent border policies.
As Greece grapples with the implications of its asylum suspension and increasing migrant numbers, the spotlight remains on the broader European response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Local authorities in Crete face immense challenges as they accommodate hundreds of migrants in inadequate facilities, including a market hall, raising concerns about health and safety, particularly for families with young children. The ongoing tourist season complicates the redistribution of migrants across Greece, limiting travel options.
Despite this crisis, talks between Greek, Italian, and Maltese officials and Libyan government representatives to address the surge in migrant departures were thwarted, leading to further calls for cooperation with Libyan authorities to combat departures. However, human rights organizations have voiced strong criticism against European nations for their dealings with Libyan authorities, highlighting the perils that migrants face in detention centers upon interception. Amnesty International condemned these measures, arguing they neglect the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees in pursuit of stringent border policies.
As Greece grapples with the implications of its asylum suspension and increasing migrant numbers, the spotlight remains on the broader European response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
