Athens, Greece. Greece’s parliament approved legislation late on Tuesday to fast-track the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and allow their transfer to return hubs outside the European Union once bilateral agreements are reached with third countries.
New legislation approved
The measure was passed as Greece faces renewed migration pressure on some of its islands. The law provides for quicker deportation procedures for rejected asylum seekers and for their transfer to external return hubs under future agreements.
Migration pressure on Greek islands
Greece, Europe’s southernmost country in the Mediterranean and a main entry point for migrants, was on the front line of the 2015-16 migration crisis, when more than one million people from the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe.
While arrivals have declined since then, the Aegean islands of Crete and Gavdos, which are closest to the African coast, have seen a sharp increase over the past two years in migrant boats arriving mainly from Libya.
EU rules on third-country centres
Last week, European Union lawmakers and governments agreed on new rules allowing member states to send migrants ordered to leave the bloc to centres in third countries. The move has been criticised by rights groups, which say it could enable abuses.
Talks on return hubs
Greece has been working with the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Austria to establish joint return and transit hubs. Bilateral talks with Uganda on a similar arrangement have been put on hold.
Speaking before Tuesday’s vote, Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said EU states have been in discussions with third countries and are seeking to secure their first agreements this year so the hubs can begin operating in 2027.
“The Greek government has already been in consultations with two African countries,” Plevris told the semi-state Athens News Agency on Wednesday. He did not identify the countries.
