The Greek police announced on March 31 the interpellation of 40 people suspected of belonging to a network of migrant smugglers operating from Athens and Thessaloniki. According to initial figures, more than nine million euros have been collected by this network since 2022.
On March 29, a new law regarding the granting of residence permits for non-European migrants was passed in Greece and will come into effect in January 2024. It stipulates: (i) an extension of the residence permit (from 5 to 10 years) for migrant children born and raised in the country, (ii) a change in the entry regulation for third country citizens to cover domestic labour shortages, such as seasonal workers. (iii) a ten-year residence permit for unaccompanied minors who become adults and have completed three years of schooling before age 23.
The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has approved 18.5 million euros in funding for the acquisition of new border patrol vessels, thus strengthening the protection of its maritime borders. The aim is to increase control and surveillance of illegal migration flows. Greek leaders are concerned about a new wave of migration in spring/summer 2023.
On 25 March, Alarm Phone alerted on its twitter account that 50 people were in distress off Crete. Alarm Phone immediately informed the Hellenic Coast Guard. However, the latter refused to share information about the safety of the people. The Turkish Coast Guard confirmed that 59 people were rescued in 3 life rafts. Although the information is unconfirmed, Alarm Phone assumes it is the same group.
On March 18th, demonstrations took place in Athens against the government’s policy. Hundreds of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers join the protests to denounce government’s migratory policy (project of extension of the metal fence along the Turkish border by 35 kilometres, collaboration of Greece with Frontex for the return of persons not eligible for asylum, etc.). Some of the demonstrators blamed the Greek government for recent migrant deaths including children at sea.
On March 14th, Greek government accepted a plan to boost returns of illegal migrants. Frontex will support more Greece in deporting rejected asylum seekers and in encouraging migrants to return voluntarily.
On March 11st, five migrants, including a child, died in a shipwreck in Farmakonisi, in the Aegean Sea. 11 migrants, including a child, were rescued by the Turkish coastguard. According to reports, 31 people were on board. The exiles were trying to reach Greece from Turkey in a makeshift boat.
According to the Spanish daily El Pais, Greek border authorities have stolen at least 2.2 million euros in cash and property from migrants and refugees in alleged pushbacks along the Turkish border over the past six years. The amount of stolen money calculated by El Pais is based on money allegedly taken from migrants along the border, but also on confiscated valuables (mobile phones, jewellery, etc). The investigation also determined that the amount of money stolen could in fact be higher than the calculated figure, as many refoulements and expulsions are not recorded or reported. El Pais made its calculations based on information and data provided by NGOs, migrant rights activists and other sources active in the Evros border region.
In 2021, four Afghans were sentenced to ten years in prison for the burning of the Moria migrant camp in September 2020. On March 8, 2023, after two and a half years of incarceration, they were re-heard on appeal in Lesbos. Their lawyers mention that their age (minors at the time of the events) was not taken into account in the decision in 2021. Moreover, there are several unclear points in this case: a witness who has not been found, weak and contradictory evidence, etc.
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