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Greek parliament approved a three-month suspension of asylum claims against migrants who arrived at the sea from Libya on Friday despite strong criticism from UN refugee agencies and the highest European human rights officials.
The scale suspends the asylum spraying treatment of people arriving at sea from North Africa following a dramatic surge in the Mediterranean that overwhelmed reception centres in Crete.
According to island officials, authorities in Crete have struggled to provide basic services, using temporary facilities to accommodate immigrants primarily from Somalia, Sudan, Egypt and Morocco.
The suspension was voted 177-74 despite intense opposition from left-wing parties.
Immigration Minister Thanos Pleblis said up to 1,000 migrants arrive daily, describing the situation as similar to “invasion.”
Authorities continue their efforts to intercept boats south of Crete and take migrants directly to mainland facilities.
More than 500 people were transferred to the Port of Lavrio near Athens on Thursday after being intercepted south of Crete.
Another 200 migrants were transferred to the Port of Piraeus near Athens, and were moved by another operation on the same day.
The emergency measures have elicited acute criticism from international human rights groups.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees expressed “deep concern.” Recognizing the right to control Greek borders, UNHCR said border control “must be in line with international and European law.”
Michael Ofraherty, a human rights committee member of the Council of Europe, also condemned Athens’ reaction, claiming that “it would legalize people to face the risk of torture and other serious offences in violation of Greek international obligations.”
Speaking to Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kiriakos Mitotakis said the government plans to build detention centres on Crete for immigration and is seeking direct cooperation between Libya and the Greek coast guard to turn back boats leaving the North African country.
“This emergency clearly calls for emergency measures,” Mitotakis told lawmakers.
“The Greek government is sending a solid message. The route to Greece has been closed and that message is directed at all traffickers.”
You are about to reach Europe
Greece remains an important entry point for individuals fleeing conflicts and difficulties in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Arrivals surged last year, with over 60,000 migrants landing in Greece compared to around 48,000 in 2023, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency.
By mid-June 2025, Greece had recorded 16,290 arrivals, of which over 14,600 were at sea.
As Greek authorities are stepping up patrols along the eastern maritime border with Turkey, it appears that traffickers are increasingly choosing longer and more dangerous routes across the Mediterranean from North Africa, using larger boats that can carry more people.
Additional sources •AP
