The European Union’s border control agency, Frontex, announced on Tuesday that it is investigating the Greek government for allegedly violating human rights in the handling of illegal migration. According to the agency, it is examining twelve serious incidents that allegedly occurred primarily in 2024. Further details were not disclosed.
According to Politico, Greece could potentially lose funding from Frontex as a result of the investigation. The agency claims that in most of the cases being examined, refugees were forcefully pushed back at land and sea borders, which is prohibited by both the United Nations Refugee Convention and international law.
As reported by the Greek news portal LiFo, Frontex spokesperson Chris Borowski stated that the agency has provided specific recommendations to the Greek government in this regard. If these recommendations are not implemented, Frontex may consider suspending or reducing funding, particularly for ships of the coast guard.
In January, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled that Greek authorities had violated the European Convention on Human Rights in a case involving a Turkish citizen. In the relevant ruling, the judges referred to a “systematic practice of pushbacks” which involves forcefully pushing back refugees at borders without allowing them the opportunity to individually assess their need for protection.
Previously, Bild reported, citing information from security circles, that Bulgaria and Greece are allegedly exploiting the Schengen Agreement on freedom of movement in the EU to send refugees they deem undesirable to Germany. According to the report, refugees who already possess a Greek or Bulgarian refugee status are given the opportunity to travel to Germany as tourists, where they would be granted refugee status again.