Greece’s parliament has passed a new law tightening measures against failed asylum seekers amid a fresh surge in migrant arrivals.
The legislation, adopted Wednesday, bars undocumented migrants from claiming asylum if they entered from countries the EU deems safe.
Instead, they will face deportation, up to two years’ detention, and fines reaching €10,000.
Migration Minister Thanos Plevris defended the law, arguing that the rights of Greek citizens outweigh those of migrants whose asylum bids have been rejected.
Since coming to power in 2019, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s conservative government has taken a hard line on migration, expanding border fences and patrols.
The latest law follows a spike in arrivals from North Africa through Crete and Gavdos, which earlier prompted Greece to suspend asylum applications from that route.
The UN refugee agency warned the measures could punish people in genuine need of protection, urging Greece to adopt fast-track procedures to separate refugees from irregular migrants.
Human rights groups and EU border agency Frontex have also raised concerns over alleged pushbacks and rights violations at Greece’s borders.
