A leading migrant rights organisation in Greece has strongly criticized government plans that would allow unaccompanied migrant minors to be housed in detention-style facilities under a proposed overhaul of the country’s migration system.
The Greek Council for Refugees Greek Council for Refugees warned that the draft law represents a serious setback for child protection standards, arguing that it would weaken safeguards for some of the most vulnerable groups in the migration system.
Under the proposed legislation, unaccompanied minors who arrive in Greece could be placed in migrant detention camps rather than specialised child protection accommodation. The NGO says this would undermine long-standing principles requiring that children be housed in reception centres designed specifically for their care and wellbeing.
The organisation also pointed to previous rulings by the European Court of Human Rights, which have described such detention-like arrangements for children as unsuitable, reinforcing concerns that the proposed policy may conflict with international human rights standards.
Beyond child accommodation, the draft law also raises concerns about expanded detention periods while asylum claims are processed and potential powers allowing authorities to reject protection applications without interviews in certain cases. Rights groups argue these changes could create additional barriers for asylum seekers.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has defended the reforms, saying they are intended to create a stricter and more structured migration framework in response to changing arrival patterns and a decline in irregular crossings in recent years.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR has also expressed concern, urging Greece to ensure that any new rules remain consistent with European legal and humanitarian principles, particularly regarding vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking, and survivors of gender-based violence.
According to recent figures cited in the report, irregular sea arrivals in Greece have declined significantly since 2024, but rights groups warn that tightening policies should not come at the expense of child protection standards or access to fair asylum procedures.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions in Europe between migration control policies and obligations to protect vulnerable asylum seekers, particularly children arriving without guardians.