On April 11, 2025, Italy made history by transferring 40 rejected asylum seekers to detention centers in Albania, marking the first time an EU nation has relocated migrants to a third country. This could set a precedent for Europe, with implications for Greece.
Tag: asylum seekers
The EU’s border agency, Frontex, is reviewing 12 serious incident reports involving Greece, some linked to alleged illegal pushbacks of migrants—a practice recently condemned by the European Court of Human Rights. While Greece denies such actions, the investigation underscores ongoing concerns about border management and human rights compliance at Europe’s southeastern frontier.
Six young children living in a migrant camp on the Greek island of Samos have been diagnosed with moderate to severe malnutrition, marking the first such cases since the facility opened in 2021, according to Doctors Without Borders. The medical charity says poor camp conditions, combined with limited pediatric care and the recent loss of asylum seeker stipends, have worsened the children’s health.
The European Union is intensifying its migration crackdown with a bold proposal to establish ‘return hubs’ outside its borders and accelerate deportations of rejected asylum seekers. For Greece, a key entry point along the Turkish border, the plan could ease pressure on overcrowded island camps, though critics warn of potential human rights violations. Unveiled Tuesday by the European Commission, the measures aim to boost returns—currently at just 20%—and restore trust in the EU’s migration system, amid declining irregular crossings and rising political tensions.
Greek authorities rescued 82 undocumented migrants found 11 nautical miles south of Crete early Wednesday. The Hellenic Coast Guard safely transferred them to Kali Limenes, where they were reported to be in good health. They will be temporarily housed in Heraklion as officials assess their status.
Greece recorded the highest rates of first-time asylum applications in Europe at 79.5% according to…
Greek authorities have detained 107 migrants in two separate incidents near Crete, as officials link the surge in arrivals to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. A cargo ship rescued 42 migrants from a sinking boat, while 65 others were found on Gavdos island. With over 47,000 illegal entries recorded in 2024, Greece faces mounting migration challenges.
Greece has deported 40 migrants whose asylum applications were rejected, as part of a coordinated operation by the Hellenic Police, FRONTEX, and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. Minister Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to a strict but fair migration policy, emphasizing the need for a unified European strategy on deportations.
The European Union is planning a major overhaul of the 1951 Refugee Convention, potentially allowing member states to deport failed asylum seekers and criminals. This move, driven by the belief that the post-war agreement is outdated, could drastically change European migration policy and spark debate over human rights protections.
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled against Greece for illegally deporting a Turkish woman in 2019, describing the practice of migrant “pushbacks” as systematic. The woman, identified as A.R.E., was awarded €20,000 in damages, while Greek authorities deny the allegations. This landmark decision may influence European migration policies as calls grow for accountability and compliance with international law.
Five Turkish nationals have been detained in Greece on charges of weapons and drug trafficking, as well as involvement in organized crime. While denying the accusations, two of the suspects claimed they had recently arrived to apply for political asylum.
The procedures for examining Syrian asylum applications have been frozen across Europe following the overthrow…
A U.N. expert has accused Greece of failing to identify and support victims of sex trafficking at a migrant centre on the island of Samos. Siobhán Mullally, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on trafficking, detailed systemic neglect, including cases of women showing clear signs of exploitation who received no adequate care. One victim, who gave birth at the centre, was forced to wear her labour-stained clothing for weeks. The allegations highlight broader concerns about Greece’s ability to address trafficking amid rising migrant arrivals.
IOM: At least 100 million Pakistanis want to come to Europe! – How many of them will stay in Greece?
According to a November 14 report by the International Organization for Migration, the South Asian…
Cyprus plans to revoke subsidiary protection status from migrants involved in serious criminal activities, integrating EU provisions into its new legislation. Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides emphasized the withdrawal of protection as a consequence for those abusing their hospitality. While direct repatriation remains a challenge, agreements with third countries may offer relocation solutions. This decision has stirred criticism from the UN due to concerns over human rights violations faced by returning Syrian refugees and asylum seeker pushbacks to the UN buffer zone.
Italy sends a second group of eight migrants to Albania in a renewed attempt to process asylum seekers abroad after facing legal challenges. This follows the return of a previous group due to a court ruling questioning the legality of their detention in Albania.
Europe’s top human rights body, the Council of Europe, has urged Cyprus to allow nearly 35 migrants stranded in a UN buffer zone to apply for asylum. Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty highlighted the harsh conditions these individuals face and called on Cyprus to meet its obligations under international law while addressing migration challenges along the island’s divided borders.
Italy has declared 19 countries as safe for migrants in an effort to salvage its €670 million plan to process asylum seekers in Albania. Following a ruling by a Rome court and a decision by the European Court of Justice, Italy’s new law aims to expedite asylum applications and manage migrant flows. However, the legal challenges and uncertainty over the law’s compatibility with European regulations pose ongoing hurdles for the initiative.
Migrants could play a vital role in addressing Greece’s severe labour shortages, according to Dimitra Lygoura, Secretary General for the Reception of Asylum Applicants. Speaking at the 5th Olympia Forum, she highlighted significant gaps in key sectors like agriculture and tourism, with nearly 200,000 workers needed. Lygoura also emphasised the importance of early social integration for migrants, noting that 750,000 legal migrants are already employed in Greece, contributing to the economy and gaining financial independence through supportive policies.
Italian Court Halts Meloni’s Migrant Return Program
In a setback for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s new migration policy, an Italian court has blocked the deportation of 12 asylum seekers to Albania. The group, originating from Egypt and Bangladesh, arrived at the Albanian port of Shëngjin on Wednesday from the Italian island of Lampedusa aboard an Italian military vessel. This ruling comes just two days after the program’s launch.
The judges determined that returning the migrants to their home countries would be unsafe, necessitating their return to Italy. This decision has sparked outrage from Meloni’s party, who took to social media to denounce the ruling, alleging that “politicized magistrates” are seeking to “abolish Italy’s borders.”
This ruling evokes the recent trial of former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, who faces kidnapping charges for refusing the disembarkation of 147 migrants from an NGO vessel in 2019. Salvini’s trial, which carries a potential six-year prison sentence, highlights the tension between Italy’s elected government and elements within the judiciary regarding migration control.
The court’s intervention in Meloni’s program raises concerns among those who see a pattern of judicial opposition to government efforts aimed at curbing mass migration into Italy and the EU.