Greece under pressure for freezing asylum applications | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Asylum application freeze
• Irregular migration
• Detention of asylum seekers
• Hybrid threat
• Dublin Regulation
• European Pact on Migration and Asylum
• Return policy
• International protection
• Social cohesion
• Tourism impact

I. Surge in Migrant Arrivals and Government Response

• Greece is facing increased pressure due to a surge in migrant arrivals by boat from North Africa, specifically Libya.
• More than 14,000 migrants have arrived in Greece this year, with over 2,000 landing in Crete since July.
• The Greek government has decided to freeze asylum applications for three months for migrants arriving from North Africa.
• The government plans to detain asylum seekers in camps for up to 18 months.
• The Minister of Migration and Asylum stated that illegal entry into the country would result in either prison or return to the home country.
• The government uses terms like "invasion" and "invaders" to describe the arrivals, framing the issue as a national security threat.

II. Conditions and Concerns on Crete

• Crete is experiencing a high number of irregular arrivals, leading to overcrowded temporary shelters.
• A former exhibition center, measuring 4,000 square meters, is housing 330 people, separated by arrival date and origin.
• Lack of space and supplies are major challenges.
• Locals express concerns about the impact on tourism, with some voicing fear and frustration, particularly regarding the high proportion of young men among the arrivals.
• Some locals express compassion but also raise concerns about potential health risks and the strain on local resources.
• Humanitarian groups criticize the inadequate conditions in the temporary shelters, arguing that the situation is not new and should have been addressed earlier.
• Local authorities warn that the situation could impact tourism and highlight the lack of infrastructure to cope with the arrivals.
• The Deputy Regional Governor emphasizes that the financial responsibility lies with the ministry, not local authorities, who are struggling to provide basic necessities like food, transportation, and sanitation.

III. Legal and Ethical Considerations

• The suspension of asylum applications and the detention policy have raised legal concerns.
• Legal scholars suggest potential violations of domestic constitutional law, European law, and international law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the European Charter on Fundamental Rights.
• NGOs in Greece are preparing legal actions against these measures.
• Past rulings by the European Court of Human Rights have indicated that Greece has violated basic human rights and engaged in illegal actions like pushbacks at the borders.

IV. Perspectives on Migration Policy

• Notis Mitaraki, former Greek Minister for Migration, argues that Greece is facing a "hybrid threat" arising from Libya, with smugglers running a major operation to move thousands of economic migrants.
• He believes that Europe should have a migration policy but should not allow smugglers to decide who comes to the European Union.
• Mitaraki acknowledges the progress made by the recently adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum but notes that the Dublin Regulation still places primary responsibility on the country of first reception.
• He defends the detention policy, stating that it is legal under national and international law to detain individuals who are to be returned.
• Mitaraki emphasizes the need for an effective return policy for those not eligible for international protection, arguing that Europe has failed to secure returns, leading to negative sentiment among European populations.
• He rejects the opposition's claim that the detention policy is unconstitutional, stating that it is an act of parliament that has not been successfully challenged in the Supreme Court.
• Mitaraki acknowledges the obligation to protect asylum seekers but also emphasizes the obligation towards local communities, citing concerns about the impact of large numbers of arrivals on local resources and social cohesion.

V. European Union's Role

• The European Union has attempted to work with Libyan authorities to mitigate the impact of smuggling networks, but recent attempts have been unsuccessful.
• Greece has suggested a common European protection space, allowing migrants eligible for international protection to travel within the EU, but this has been opposed by northern European countries.
• The Dublin Regulation continues to place the primary responsibility for asylum seekers on the country of first reception.

VI. Key Quotes

• Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum: "You have two options if you enter illegally into the country, prison or return."
• Local resident: "They come and invade. They ruin the image of our land... Tourism is at stake."
• Local resident: "They're human beings, too. And we should feel compassion for them... But let's hope they don't bring diseases, viruses, and the like."
• Notis Mitaraki: "We cannot allow smugglers to decide who comes and lives in the European Union."
• Notis Mitaraki: "People that are not eligible for international protection must be returned... Europe has failed over the years to secure returns."

VII. Technical Terms and Concepts

• Asylum Application Freeze: A temporary suspension of the process by which individuals seeking refuge can apply for protection in a country.
• Irregular Migration: The movement of people across borders without the required legal authorization.
• Dublin Regulation: A European Union law that determines which member state is responsible for examining an asylum application. Generally, the country of first entry is responsible.
• European Pact on Migration and Asylum: A set of proposed reforms to the EU's asylum and migration policies, aiming to share responsibility among member states and improve border management.
• International Protection: The legal framework and mechanisms for protecting refugees and other individuals who have fled their home countries due to persecution, war, or violence.
• Hybrid Threat: A security challenge that combines military and non-military tactics, such as disinformation campaigns, economic pressure, and the exploitation of migration flows.

VIII. Synthesis/Conclusion

The situation in Greece, particularly on Crete, is complex and multifaceted. The surge in migrant arrivals from North Africa has strained resources, raised legal and ethical concerns, and sparked debate about migration policy. The Greek government's response, including the asylum application freeze and detention policy, has been met with criticism from human rights groups and legal scholars. The European Union's role in addressing the crisis and sharing responsibility among member states remains a key point of contention. The situation highlights the challenges of balancing humanitarian obligations, national security concerns, and the needs of local communities.