Greece has officially suspended asylum applications for migrants arriving from Libya and other parts of North Africa, sparking a wave of detentions and strong backlash from human rights groups and the UN. The move comes amid a noticeable surge in arrivals on Crete and the nearby island of Gavdos, as authorities shift their migration strategy toward stricter enforcement and deportation.
Over the weekend, more than 200 migrants were rescued from boats south of Crete and Gavdos and transported to mainland Greece. Instead of being directed to traditional reception centers, which usually provide housing and freedom of movement, these migrants are now being held in police custody pending deportation. According to Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, the suspension of asylum applications applies to all new arrivals from Libya, and additional detention centers are already being prepared to house them.
Minister Plevris took to the platform X (formerly Twitter) to clarify the government’s stance, stating, “Illegal immigrants from Libya will not have access to asylum, will not go to accommodation centers, and will remain in police custody until they are returned.” He emphasized that the Ministry of Immigration is fully supporting this effort, coordinating with police and coast guard officials to facilitate swift removals.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Plevris defended the harsh approach, insisting that Greece will no longer be “taken for fools.” He argued that most of the arrivals are not fleeing conflict but are instead young men seeking economic opportunities. “It’s the end of the fairy tale,” he said. “We are not a hotel anymore.” He further noted that many migrants are arriving from so-called “safe” countries such as Egypt, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, making them ineligible for asylum in Greece.
Since the beginning of 2025, more than 7,000 migrants have landed on Crete and nearby islands—an increase from the 4,935 who arrived throughout all of 2024. As a result, the Greek government has implemented a strict three-month ban on asylum applications for arrivals from Libya and North Africa.
This policy shift has drawn strong criticism from humanitarian organizations and international watchdogs. The UNHCR expressed deep concern over the legality and ethics of detaining asylum seekers without offering them a chance to apply for protection. The agency warned that such actions could violate international and European refugee law, which requires host countries to consider asylum claims individually, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals.
Rights groups argue that many of the migrants currently arriving in Greece are from countries with high refugee recognition rates, including Sudan, Eritrea, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, and Yemen. Among them are unaccompanied children and survivors of sexual violence—individuals who are legally entitled to special protections and care under international agreements.
The government’s new policy reflects a broader shift across Europe toward tougher migration controls, but critics worry it risks criminalizing vulnerable people who are fleeing war, persecution, and economic hardship. As more boats continue to arrive, the debate over Greece’s responsibility to uphold refugee rights versus controlling its borders intensifies, leaving thousands of lives hanging in the balance.