Greece’s Ombudsman has raised serious concerns about a new migration bill introduced by the centre-right government, which parliament will vote on next Tuesday.
The Ombudsman warned that the bill’s penalties for NGO members helping migrants could be disproportionately severe and fail to distinguish between profit-driven smuggling and humanitarian aid. The office also noted that criminal sanctions for refugees entering illegally would contradict the Geneva Convention.
The Ombudsman highlighted that administrative detention measures may be unenforceable due to limited capacity at pre-departure centres. The office added that the term “assists” is overly broad and could criminalize humanitarian work by registered NGOs providing legal, social, and humanitarian support to migrants and refugees.
While the Ombudsman praised provisions addressing legal migration, the office stressed that effective implementation requires proper staff training. Officials also warned that stricter enforcement could leave many migrants undocumented and homeless.
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