New evidence confirms the illegal “systematic practice” of pushbacks (pushbacks) at the Greek border – Frontex reports once again criticize the Greek authorities, but the national mechanism claims it has no jurisdiction
Two recent reports (News 24/7 and ΤΑ ΝΕΑ) bring to light official Frontex Serious Incident Reports (SIRs), which once again document the breakdown of the rule of law at the country’s borders. These reports add to a significant body of evidence and contribute to further institutional documentation. The complaints are recorded in official Frontex documents, irrevocably exposing the Greek authorities; they confirm the systematic practice of illegal returns, which even target vulnerable groups such as women and children; and they document, among other things, the actions of masked individuals and the use of “paramilitary” groups within Greek territory, in a climate of complete impunity.
An appeals court in Paris has opened an investigation against the former head of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX), Fabrice Léserie, on charges related to crimes against humanity. This follows allegations of mistreatment of migrants at European borders and of encouraging agency officials to assist Greek authorities in intercepting migrant boats in violation of EU law.
Accountability for incidents of pushbacks in Greece remains an open question. On January 29, 2026, the GCR requested an investigation into the involvement of specific EU-funded Coast Guard vessels in violations of fundamental rights at the country’s borders, citing similar SIRs from Frontex. On March 13, 2026, the Fundamental Rights Officer of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum responded negatively to the request for an investigation, citing limited jurisdiction and the requirement that complaints be filed by the affected individuals themselves. With this interpretation, the national mechanism effectively refuses to investigate cases based on official reports from international organizations (such as Frontex’s SIRs) unless they are accompanied by an individual complaint from the victim, a practice that hinders accountability in such cases.
One year after the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) A.R.E. v. Greecein which the ECtHR recognized the “systematic practice” of pushbacks at the Greek border and condemned the Greek authorities for the pushback of a refugee, the Reports highlight the Greek authorities’ ongoing failure to comply with their obligation to respect fundamental rights and with the European Court’s own Judgment.
At the same time, the targeting and criminalization of human rights defenders who document pushbacks and violations of fundamental rights continues. The case of Tommy Olsen, founder of the Aegean Boat Report, is the most recent. "The charges he faces have been brought as direct retaliation for his work defending the rights of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. His prosecution appears to be part of a long-standing and well-documented crackdown against those engaged in such activities in Greece and at the EU’s borders. “The case against him must be dropped", emphasizes in statement the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
Announcement of Revocations of Protection Status in Violation of fundamental guarantees
The political leadership of the Ministry of Migration announced the revocation of protection status for more than 100 beneficiaries of international protection (recognized refugees) by the end of the first half of 2026, in a statement that raises serious questions about the criteria applied by the competent authorities and whether the basic guarantees provided for by current legislation are being upheld. Among the refugees whose status was revoked is is the president of the Pakistani Community in Greece, who had been granted, refugee status by a decision of the Independent Appeals Committee due to his targeting by the authorities of his country of origin and the real risk of persecution there. Among others 60 university professors and the Municipality of Athens have issued a resolution calling for the status not to be revoked. The GCR is providing legal support for this case.
From the Global South towards Europe: climate change is already displacing people
New research by WWF Greece and the Greek Council for Refugees (GCR) reveals that climate change and the increasingly intense and destructive extreme weather events are already displacing people, forcing them to move to European countries, including Greece. The study debunks the notion that “climate migrants” are a future scenario. Instead, it shows that many have already arrived in Europe, seeking safer living conditions. By linking personal testimonies with verifiable climate events, the study emphasizes that climate displacement is already a reality.
Read the full study, as recently published in the scientific journal “Ocean and Society (Cogitatio Press) "Ocean and Society (Cogitatio Press) here
Statistics on asylum, reception, and administrative detention.
Data on the asylum and reception system and the imposition of administrative detention measures in 2025 were recently submitted to Parliament following a parliamentary inquiry. The data confirm that the overwhelming majority of people seeking asylum in Greece are recognized as refugees/beneficiaries of international protection, while also documenting chronic and structural shortcomings and malfunctions in the reception system and the systematic imposition of detention. The data is available here: asylum, reception, detention and analysis of the data by Refugee Support Aegean.
