Greek parliament passes suspension of asylum claims despite international criticism
The measure suspends asylum application processing for those arriving by sea from North Africa, following a dramatic surge in Mediterranean crossings that has overwhelmed reception facilities on the island of Crete.
The suspension passed by a vote of 177-74 despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties, which unsuccessfully challenged the amendment as unconstitutional.
Thanos Plevris, the migration affairs minister, told lawmakers up to 1,000 migrants were arriving daily and described the situation as resembling an 'invasion.'
Authorities are continuing efforts to intercept boats south of Crete and take migrants directly to mainland facilities.
The emergency measures drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees expressed 'deep concern.' While acknowledging Greece's right to manage borders, UNHCR said border control 'must be in line with international and European law.'
Michael O'Flaherty, the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, also condemned Athens' response, arguing it 'would legalize returning people to face a risk of torture and other serious violations, in breach of (Greece's international) obligations.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
2 hours ago
- Washington Post
Pope Leo reflects on migrants and refugees as ‘messengers of hope'
Pope Leo XIV urged the public to see migrants and refugees as 'messengers of hope' on Friday, as the Trump administration focuses on mass deportation efforts in the pontiff's former home country. In a letter, Leo wrote that the 'widespread tendency to look after the interests of limited communities' poses a serious threat to the 'pursuit of the common good and global solidarity for the benefit of our entire human family.'
News24
12 hours ago
- News24
Mexico launches lottery to support migrants in US
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday announced a lottery to raise money to support migrants caught up in US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Nearly 12 million Mexicans live in the United States, where Trump has pursued a tough anti-immigration policy since his return to the White House in January. The lottery 'is dedicated to our migrant brothers and sisters', said Sheinbaum, who has pledged all necessary consular assistance to Mexicans affected by Trump's crackdown. 'The money left after the prizes will be used to strengthen all our support for migrants in the United States through our consulates,' she said at her morning news conference. Tickets for the lottery, with a prize pot of nearly 425 million pesos ($23 million), feature a heart surrounded by ears of corn and agave plants with the words 'Mexico with an M for migrant'. The draw will be held on 15 September, when Mexico celebrates the start of the war of independence against Spain in 1810. On Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that nearly 75 000 Mexicans had decided to voluntarily come home from the United States since Trump began his second term in office. The Mexican leader has criticised US immigration raids to detain undocumented foreigners, especially in Los Angeles, which is home to a large Mexican community.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Home Office threaten asylum seekers with homelessness if they refuse hotel move
Asylum seekers risk becoming homeless if they refuse accommodation under plans to end the use of expensive hotels. Announcing the policy on Friday, the Home Office said some migrants were "gaming the system" by resisting efforts to move them into alternative housing without a valid reason. Politics Live: The new Failure to Travel policy means housing support will be removed from those who block transfer requests. The Home Office said this will "ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it". They added: "Those who refuse to move without a valid reason will now risk losing their housing and support. It is a firm but fair approach, aimed to end abuse of asylum support and contribute towards the closure of costly hotel accommodation. "While the government has a duty to support all asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute in appropriate accommodation, the new policy establishes clear consequences for those who game the system whilst protecting the vulnerable." There would be several steps before stripping someone of accommodation - with it being a last resort, Sky News understands. It follows a week of unrest Several demonstrations have been held outside the Bell Hotel since 13 July, after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, from Ethiopia, denied sexually assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court last week and will stand trial in August. On Thursday Epping council unanimously voted to urge the government to shut the site. Ministers are under pressure to restore order amid fears of further unrest, like that seen in Southport last summer. Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels by the end of this parliament, a move chancellor Rachel Reeves However there is a question mark as to how this will be achieved as Channel Crossings continue to rise. Nearly 20,000 migrants made the journey to the UK in , a rise of almost 50% on the number crossing in 2024 and a new record for the first half of a year. Ministers say they inherited a "broken system", with 400 hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers at the peak of the crisis under the Tories, costing £9 million per day. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: "We inherited an asylum system on the brink of collapse - mismanaged, under strain, and costing the public a fortune. We are getting a grip. "We are working to close hotels, restore order, and put fairness and value for money at the heart of our asylum system. This government is making those necessary decisions to protect the taxpayer and uphold the integrity of our borders. "These reforms to the Failure to Travel policy are another example of this government's action to transform the asylum accommodation system and crack down on those who abuse our system, so it operates fairly and saves the taxpayer money."
