Council of Europe Urges Greece to End Pushbacks of Migrants and Ensure Accountability

Author: Aamnah Fatima Khan

May 13, 2025

The Human Rights Research Center (HRRC) strongly condemns Greece’s continued use of summary returns and systematic pushbacks, which flagrantly violate international human rights law and endanger the dignity of migrants. We commend the Council of Europe for its rigorous investigation and principled advocacy in holding Greece accountable and defending constitutional rights at Europe's borders.

Protesters hold signs and banners as they stand next to a life raft during a demonstration in central Athens, Greece, on Feb. 6, 2022. [Image credit: AFP Photo]

The Council of Europe (CoE) has expressed serious concern over ongoing human rights breaches at Greece's land and sea borders, notably the rapid return, or pushback, of asylum seekers and refugees who lack sufficient identity or legal processes. In a memorandum published on a fact-finding journey to Greece in February 2025, Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty stated that these practices may breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and international law.

The Commissioner noted continuing allegations of law enforcement using excessive force, including sexual abuse, and raised concern about persons exposed to border control operations not having access to personalized protection procedures and remedies. While noting Greece's complicated border management issues, the CoE condemned the country's failure to adequately investigate violations, as evidenced by European Court of Human Rights verdicts. Despite Greek denials of systematic pushbacks, Athens was urged to adopt a zero-tolerance approach, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and empower national human rights bodies to monitor border practices independently.

The Commissioner also sought complete transparency and accountability in the inquiry into the Pylos shipwreck, which is thought to have killed over 700 people in June 2023, emphasizing the need to establish state responsibility for any contributory actions or omissions. Furthermore, the CoE stressed the need for a secure and enabling environment for civil society, human rights defenders, and media working to promote migrants' rights, cautioning against intimidation or hindrance.

Meanwhile, migration authorities are tightening policies, with proposals to increase imprisonment for rejected asylum seekers from 18 to 24 months, while Frontex is still investigating a dozen significant human rights violations involving Greece. The larger regional picture remains bleak: the Central Mediterranean remains the most dangerous migratory route, with approximately 25,000 deaths since 2014.

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Glossary

• Accountability – The obligation of individuals or organizations to explain their actions and accept responsibility for them.

• Asylum – Protection granted by a country to someone fleeing persecution in their home country.

• Asylum seekers – People who have left their home country and are seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.

• Athens – The capital city of Greece.

• Breach – A violation or breaking of a law, agreement, or duty.

• Bleak – Hopeless, grim, or without encouraging prospects.

• Cautioning – Warning or advising someone to be careful or to avoid certain actions.

• Central Mediterranean – A major and often dangerous sea route used by migrants traveling from North Africa to Europe.

• Commend – To praise or express approval for someone’s actions.

• Condemned – Declared something to be wrong or unacceptable, often in a strong or official way.

• Constitutional rights – Rights granted and protected by a nation’s constitution, typically including freedoms such as speech, due process, and equality under the law.

• Evidenced – Made clear or shown by evidence.

• Endanger – To put someone or something at risk or in harm’s way.

• Frontex – The European Union’s border and coast guard agency responsible for managing external border control.

• Flagrantly – In a way that is shockingly noticeable or obviously offensive.

• Imprisonment – The act of confining someone in prison as a form of punishment.

• Memorandum – An official note or report that communicates information or recommendations.

• Omissions – Failures to act or include something that should have been done or said.

• Pushbacks – The forced return of migrants to the country they crossed from, often without legal procedure or consideration of asylum claims.

• Rapid – Happening quickly or in a short time.

• Remedies – Legal means of enforcing a right or correcting a wrong.

• Rigorous – Extremely thorough, strict, or accurate.

• Route – A path or course taken to reach a destination.

• Shipwreck – The destruction or sinking of a ship, often used metaphorically to describe tragic events at sea involving migrants.

• Summary returns – The expulsion of individuals without proper legal process, usually involving no assessment of their personal situation.

• Sufficient – Enough to meet the needs or purpose.

• Transparency – The quality of being open, honest, and clear, especially in decision-making or governance.

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Sources

1. https://www.coe.int/be/web/portal/-/greece-should-prevent-pushbacks-and-ensure-accountability-for-border-violations-of-human-rights 

2. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/council-of-europe-urges-greece-to-prevent-migrant-pushbacks/3558701 

3. https://ecre.org/mediterranean-greece-under-renewed-pressure-to-end-pushbacks-%E2%80%95-cyprus-accused-of-failing-to-protect-vulnerable-groups-from-exploitation-%E2%80%95-first-deportation-from-controversial-italian/ 

4. https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/05/06/europes-human-rights-watchdog-urges-greece-to-end-pushbacks-of-migrants