Greece Halts Asylum Applications from North Africa Amid Migrant Surge

Greece is suspending asylum applications from North Africa for three months due to a surge in migrant arrivals, as officials warn of an ongoing crisis that strains local resources significantly. While the government implements strict measures, human rights advocates criticize the handling of migrants and the conditions in detention facilities.

Greece has announced a temporary suspension of asylum applications from migrants hailing from North Africa for a period of three months, implementing this drastic measure in light of a sharp increase in arrivals. Conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declared that all individuals arriving by boat from the region will be apprehended and held in detention. "We are sending a message of determination... to all traffickers and all their potential customers that the money they spend may be completely wasted, because reaching Greece by sea will be exceptionally difficult," he stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

In a similar vein to actions taken in 2020, when Greece effectively halted thousands of crossings at its land border with Turkey, draft legislation aimed at formalizing these new provisions is expected to be presented to parliament imminently. Migration Minister Thanos Plevris succinctly articulated the government’s stance via X, asserting, "Clear message: stay where you are, we do not accept you."

This announcement comes as the southern islands of Crete and Gavdos have reported a staggering uptick in migrant arrivals, with over 2,000 individuals landing on Crete recently alone. The total number of migrants who have arrived in Greece since the beginning of 2025 now stands at 9,000, marking an alarming 350% increase compared to the previous year, as reported by Vasilis Katsikandarakis, president of the Western Crete Coast Guard Personnel Association. He lamented that “immigration is suffocating us,” indicating that local resources are overwhelmed.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis highlighted the ongoing strain this influx places on the island's already limited accommodation facilities, noting that several hundred people have temporarily been housed in unsuitable conditions. Local media has reported on families with young children having to endure difficult living situations, emphasizing the inadequacy of available resources to handle the growing number of migrants.

Further complicating matters, Greek, Italian, and Maltese ministers, along with the European Union's migration commissioner, recently attempted to visit Libya to address this migrant surge. However, they were barred entry by factions within the Libyan government, which claimed they were violating national sovereignty. Nevertheless, Mitsotakis assured that the Greek military would coordinate with Libyan authorities to prevent migrants from departing the Libyan coast.

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly condemned European governments' efforts to curb migrant flows through partnerships with Libyan authorities, pointing out that those intercepted and returned to Libya often face imprisonment within dire detention camps. They assert, "Attempts to stop departures at any cost show a complete disregard for the lives and dignity of migrants and refugees," emphasizing the humanitarian implications of such policies.