Greece will temporarily halt asylum applications from individuals arriving by sea from North Africa, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The decision comes as the eastern European nation sees a big increase in the number of migrant landings on its southern islands, putting massive strain on infrastructure.
“With legislation that will be submitted to the parliament tomorrow, Greece will suspend the examination of asylum applications, initially for three months, for those arriving in Greece from North Africa by sea,” Mitsotakis said, according to the Washington Examiner.
The legislation is expected to be voted on Thursday. The Greek prime minister said migrants arriving illegally would be “arrested and detained.”
Mitsotakis also said that the government told the European Union of the decision, and is in talks with Libyan authorities to strengthen cooperation on blocking migrant departures or intercepting boats before they enter Greek waters.
More than 7,300 migrants have arrived in Greece so far this year after departing from northeastern Libya, according to estimates by the Greek government and aid agencies. That figure marks a rise compared to the roughly 5,000 total arrivals during all of 2024.
Crete and the island of Gavdos have seen increases in arrivals in just the past few days. Around 2,000 people have landed since the weekend, and local authorities are now sounding alarms over the lack of facilities and temporary housing. Neither island currently has a formal migrant processing center.
According to the Greek coastguard, about 520 migrants were rescued off Gavdos early Wednesday and are being transported to the mainland.
The surge in sea crossings includes individuals from countries such as Sudan, Egypt, and Bangladesh, as well as others from the broader Middle East and North Africa.
The Greek Council for Refugees naturally condemned the move in a statement on social media, calling the suspension of asylum “illegal” and a breach of international law.
The group claims that the government is using the influx as an “excuse” and claimed it “only demonstrates Greece’s inability to guarantee basic fundamental rights."
Greece has been a major entry point for migrants during past crises, including the 2015-2016 period when over one million people fled to enter Europe via the Mediterranean.
“With legislation that will be submitted to the parliament tomorrow, Greece will suspend the examination of asylum applications, initially for three months, for those arriving in Greece from North Africa by sea,” Mitsotakis said, according to the Washington Examiner.
The legislation is expected to be voted on Thursday. The Greek prime minister said migrants arriving illegally would be “arrested and detained.”
Mitsotakis also said that the government told the European Union of the decision, and is in talks with Libyan authorities to strengthen cooperation on blocking migrant departures or intercepting boats before they enter Greek waters.
More than 7,300 migrants have arrived in Greece so far this year after departing from northeastern Libya, according to estimates by the Greek government and aid agencies. That figure marks a rise compared to the roughly 5,000 total arrivals during all of 2024.
Crete and the island of Gavdos have seen increases in arrivals in just the past few days. Around 2,000 people have landed since the weekend, and local authorities are now sounding alarms over the lack of facilities and temporary housing. Neither island currently has a formal migrant processing center.
According to the Greek coastguard, about 520 migrants were rescued off Gavdos early Wednesday and are being transported to the mainland.
The surge in sea crossings includes individuals from countries such as Sudan, Egypt, and Bangladesh, as well as others from the broader Middle East and North Africa.
The Greek Council for Refugees naturally condemned the move in a statement on social media, calling the suspension of asylum “illegal” and a breach of international law.
The group claims that the government is using the influx as an “excuse” and claimed it “only demonstrates Greece’s inability to guarantee basic fundamental rights."
Greece has been a major entry point for migrants during past crises, including the 2015-2016 period when over one million people fled to enter Europe via the Mediterranean.
