Dark
Light

Greece tables emergency asylum bill – Immediate deportations for illegal entries from North Africa

10 July, 2025

The Greek Parliament is debating today a controversial emergency amendment that imposes a three-month suspension on asylum applications by individuals entering the country illegally via sea routes from North Africa.

The amendment, attached to a Development Ministry bill on public procurement training, states that such individuals will be “returned without registration to the country of origin or provenance.” The new provision aims to stem recent surges in sea arrivals to Crete and the Dodecanese, particularly at the port of Rethymno.

Authorities argue the measure is a necessary, temporary response to increased illegal migration and security risks. The government stresses the move targets smuggling networks exploiting North African routes and aims to safeguard Greek and European borders.

However, rights groups and legal experts warn that bypassing the asylum registration process may breach international conventions on asylum and non-refoulement. Intense parliamentary debate is expected, as opposition parties question the measure’s legality and humanitarian implications.

Dark
Light

Latest News

DNA for sale The untold story of Greeces newborns

DNA for Sale? The untold story of Greece’s newborn screening scandal

It seemed as though Greece had stepped into a remake
VLADAMIRE PUTIN

How Putin rebuilt Russia into a global power

Many wonder how the Russian economy manages to stay afloat

Jacinta Allan moves to end UFU’s power over Victoria’s fire services

In a dramatic reversal of her predecessor’s policy, Premier Jacinta