News from the field - June 2026

1. European Court of Human Rights: Three Landmark Judgments Condemning Greece over Refugee Family Reunification Cases Supported by GCR

In three landmark judgments delivered yesterday, 23 June 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) found, for the first time, violations of the right to respect for family life and the right to an effective remedy in cases concerning the family reunification of recognised refugees in Greece. The Court held that the Greek authorities had failed to ensure a procedure that was sufficiently flexible, effective and prompt for examining family reunification applications. In particular, it found that insufficient consideration had been given to the objective difficulties faced by the applicants in proving their family relationships and obtaining travel documents. The Court also held that the Greek Asylum Service, as the sole competent authority, was under an obligation to seek alternative solutions. These are the first ECtHR judgments addressing the right to family reunification of refugees in Greece and are expected to have a significant impact on the authorities' practice in examining family reunification applications. "I am grateful and, for the first time in many years, hopeful. I hope that one day I will be able to see my family again," said one of the applicants.

Greek Council for Refugees (GCR), Press Release, 24 June 2026
GCR Report "Family Reunification of Recognised Refugees in Greece - July 2025"
Greek Ombudsman ECtHR Condemns Greece over the Family Reunification of Beneficiaries of International Protection in Greece, 29-6-2026
In.gr, ECtHR: Three Landmark Judgments on the Right to Refugee Family Reunification in Greece, 24-6-2025
News24/7.gr, Greece under Scrutiny by the ECtHR over Refugee Family Reunification,, 25-6-2026

NBdaily.gr, ECtHR Condemns Greece over Refugee Family Reunification – Violation of the Right to Family Life, 25-06-2026

TO PONTIKI, A Family Ordeal for Palestinians: The Difficult Reunification of Refugees from Gaza with Their Relatives, 25-6-2026

2. Expanded Use of Restrictive Measures and Detention – Provisions Directly Contrary to EU Law – Weakened Child Protection and a Deeply Problematic Oversight Mechanism Included in the New Legislation Implementing the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

On 9 June 2026, the Greek Parliament adopted the new law implementing the Regulations and Directives that form part of the European Pact on Migration and Asylum. As noted by the Greek Council for Refugees: "The proposed national legislation for the implementation of the Pact is characterized by the introduction of measures that incorporate/transplant the most restrictive versions of the Pact’s legislative texts, while failing to incorporate/transplant — or doing so inadequately — the limited positive provisions contained in EU legislation, thereby diminishing any positive impact that the implementation of this legislation could have. In some respects, it even introduces provisions that are not compatible with the new EU law,””.

At the same time, the European Parliament approved the new Returns Regulation, which, among other measures, allows for the establishment of "return hubs" in countries outside the European Union. ""EU Member States cannot simply outsource their human rights obligations to third countries […] The detention and return of vulnerable individuals, including children, to other countries constitutes a particularly sensitive exercise of state authority and carries a high risk of human rights violations."; the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights stated

3. Justice for the Pylos Shipwreck – Three Years On

"Three years after the Pylos shipwreck, the survivors and the families of the victims continue to seek justice and accountability," emphasise in a joint statement the organisations providing legal assistance to the survivors and the families of those who lost their lives in the Pylos shipwreck. The organisations further state: "We continue to demand a full, thorough and effective investigation by the judicial authorities in order to identify, secure and assess all relevant evidence […] It is essential that the truth be established and that criminal responsibility be attributed to all those responsible for the Pylos tragedy." In a statement UNHCR stressed: "This anniversary is also a reminder of the urgent need to expand safe and legal pathways, ensure access to protection for those who need it, and address the root causes of forced displacement […] We reiterate our call for the prompt completion of the investigation into the Pylos shipwreck. We owe it to the victims and their families—to remember, to act, and to ensure that such tragedies never happen again."

See more: Joint Statement "Justice for the Pylos Shipwreck – Three Years On"

4. Completely Inadequate Conditions of Detention at the Pre-Removal Detention Facility in Sintiki, Serres

In a new communication addressed to the competent authorities following a complaint concerning the prolonged detention of a third-country national, the Greek Ombudsman examined the detention conditions at the Controlled Access Facility for Temporary Accommodation of Asylum Seekers in Sintiki, Serres, highlighting that the facility is wholly unsuitable for detention extending beyond a few days. Among other findings, the Independent Authority noted that the Sintiki Facility: ""is located in a remote area far from residential settlements, without access to sewage or water supply networks. The site is situated between mountains and next to a river, resulting in high humidity and low temperatures. During the on-site inspection, numerous medical cases were identified, along with repeated complaints from detainees regarding access to healthcare services […] The Sintiki Reception Facility and the Sintiki Pre-Removal Detention Facility cannot be regarded as suitable facilities for accommodation or detention, at least not for periods exceeding a few days. We therefore requested that the transfer of both residents and detainees to other facilities be considered.”.

The case was supported by Equal Legal Aid.

The Ombudsman's findings follow previous reports documenting wholly inadequate detention conditions both at the Sintiki facility and at the Corinth Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PROKEKA).