Migrants and refugees in Greece

On April 24, Politico revealed that Frontex is considering asking the European Commission to launch infringement proceedings against Greece due to its repeated pushbacks of migrants. According to Jonas Grimheden, the agency’s Fundamental Rights Officer, Frontex is torn between suspending its mission in Greece or initiating this procedure against Athens. A stance that contrasts sharply with the inhumane practices Frontex itself is regularly accused of.
On 9th April Greece announced by a ministerial decision the addition of Turkey to its list of “safe third countries”. In doing so, it is strengthening its anti-migrant policy by allowing the immediate rejection of asylum applications from people from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia.
According to the article published by Politico on April 10, Greece is the country where the largest number of investigations have been opened following accusations of pushbacks. More than 1,000 people have reportedly been forced to leave the country. Chris Borowski, a spokesman for Frontex, said the agency – which itself adopts inhumane and illegal practices towards migrants – was considering reducing or even eliminating funding for Greek coastguard vessels.
On 3 April, seven bodies, including those of two children, were found in the Aegean Sea, while twenty-three migrants were rescued and taken to hospital after being found on the same boat, en route from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesvos.

Greece