EU Agency Raises Concerns Over Greek Border Practices
A new report highlights issues regarding migrant pushbacks and oversight of asylum rights violations in Greece.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Immigration
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The European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency has published a bulletin documenting ongoing concerns regarding migrant pushbacks in Greece. The report follows a decision by the Council of Europe demanding further information on how the nation is working to prevent violations of asylum rights.
Why it matters
The scrutiny stems from a history of systematic pushback practices, including a case where an asylum seeker was returned to Turkey without a risk assessment. Addressing these procedural failures is a primary focus for international bodies seeking to protect human rights at European borders.
An official report from the European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency recorded 322 criminal investigations into border rights violations between 2020 and 2025. During this period, only nine convictions were secured across 12 member states for these specific offenses.
The players
European Union's Fundamental Rights Agency
This is an independent EU body that provides assistance and expertise relating to the protection of fundamental rights.
Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers
The committee acts as the decision-making body of the Council of Europe and oversees the implementation of judgments from the European Court of Human Rights.
European Court of Human Rights
This international court hears applications alleging breaches of the civil and political rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights.
The details
To address these issues, Greece has implemented an operational manual and mandatory officer training for border personnel. Furthermore, seven EU member states have initiated visits by independent border monitors to verify compliance with international asylum standards.
Timeline
May 2019: An asylum seeker was returned to Turkey without a proper risk assessment.
2020-2025: Authorities recorded 322 criminal investigations into border rights violations.
July through September 2026: The agency monitored migration border practices and recorded 852 deaths or disappearances on routes.
September 16, 2026: The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers issued a decision on the matter.
2027: The Committee of Ministers is scheduled to examine the case A.R.E. v. Greece at a human rights meeting.
Political Context
The current oversight efforts follow a pattern set by the findings in the case A.R.E. v. Greece. This legal precedent compels the nation to demonstrate ongoing efforts to end systematic pushback practices and align border operations with international human rights law.
The push to improve border oversight may lead to stricter administrative documentation and standardized training for border officials in the region. These procedural changes are intended to provide greater legal safeguards for asylum seekers and those navigating Mediterranean migration routes.
The takeaway
Increased transparency and the introduction of independent monitoring serve as key pillars for bringing border practices into compliance with international human rights standards. These efforts highlight a shift toward greater institutional accountability when managing cross-border migration.
What happens next
The Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers will meet in 2027 to specifically examine the case A.R.E. v. Greece regarding compliance with asylum rights.
Further reading
For broader context on current policies, read more in our Immigration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GreekReporter.
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