The Greek parliament has approved a law that will allow for the accelerated return of rejected asylum seekers to their countries of origin and, after bilateral agreements with third countries have been reached, allow migrants to be transferred to return hubs, Reuters reports.
Greece, Europe’s southernmost Mediterranean country, is a major entry point for asylum seekers and was the first to be hit by the 2015-2016 migration crisis. At the time, more than a million people from the Middle East and Africa poured through Greece into Europe. Since then, the number of arrivals has decreased, but in the past couple of years, two islands closer to the African coast – Crete and Gavdos – have seen a resurgence in the number of migrant boats, especially from Libya.
European Union lawmakers and governments agreed last week to new rules that will allow migrants who have been refused entry to Europe to be sent to third countries.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who say it could encourage abuses.
Greece is working with the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Austria to set up joint return and transit centres, while bilateral talks have been suspended.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said before the vote that EU countries were negotiating with third countries with a view to concluding the first agreements this year and opening the first return centres in 2027. Plevris added that Greece had started consultations with two African countries, but did not specify which ones.
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