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Greece Enforces Three-Month Asylum Freeze for Sea Arrivals From North Africa

The measure passed Friday to curb Libyan crossings has triggered widespread detentions under EU scrutiny

Migrants talk with the authorities, after Greece rescued hundreds of migrants off the islands of Gavdos and Crete in separate incidents, according to the Greek Coast Guard, in the port of Agia Galini, Greece, July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis/File Photo
Medics transfer a migrant to an ambulance, after Greece rescued hundreds of migrants off the islands of Gavdos and Crete in separate incidents, according to the Greek Coast Guard, in the port of Agia Galini, Greece, July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Stefanos Rapanis/File Photo
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addresses a ministerial cabinet meeting in Athens, Greece, Monday, June 30, 2025.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A Greek coast guard gives water to migrants from Africa as they take a shelter in Agia port, Chania, Crete island, Greece, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Giannis Angelakis)

Overview

  • Greece’s parliament approved the suspension by a 177-74 vote, halting asylum processing for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa for an initial three months.
  • Authorities have begun arresting and detaining new arrivals, intercepting boats and rerouting them to mainland facilities while planning new detention sites on Crete.
  • The government is seeking direct collaboration with the Libyan coast guard to turn back vessels before they reach Greek waters despite a recent breakdown in talks with eastern Libyan authorities.
  • International groups including the International Rescue Committee, UNHCR and Amnesty International have condemned the suspension as illegal and discriminatory under international and EU law.
  • European Commission officials say they are monitoring compliance with the Common European Asylum System and may initiate infringement proceedings if Greece fails to uphold its obligations.