The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Greece violated the fundamental rights of migrants through what it called “systematic pushbacks” at its borders.
This decision, handed down on January 7, marks the first legal recognition of Greece’s alleged pattern of returning migrants without allowing them to seek asylum—a practice widely criticized by human rights advocates.
The court’s decision stemmed from the case of a Turkish asylum seeker who crossed the Evros River into Greece in 2019. Greek authorities reportedly detained him and forcibly sent him back to Turkey. The ECHR ordered Greece to pay €20,000 in compensation, asserting this incident reflected a broader “consistent modus operandi” of pushbacks at both land and sea borders.
For years, Greece has faced accusations of illegal pushbacks, particularly in the northeastern Evros region and on islands near Turkey. These actions clash with the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face inhumane treatment.
Greece, however, argues that its actions are essential for defending the European Union’s external borders. The tension between safeguarding borders and upholding human rights has placed Athens in the crosshairs of activists and EU institutions alike.
In 2020, Turkey openly used migration as a diplomatic tool, sending thousands of migrants to the Greek border to pressure the EU. Athens cites this incident as justification for its border policies, framing Turkey’s lax control of illegal crossings as deliberate. Despite this defense, the ECHR’s ruling has renewed calls for accountability.
Some EU lawmakers celebrated the decision as a turning point. Dutch Green MEP Tineke Strik declared on social media:
“Today the ECHR condemns a pushback of a Turkish asylum seeker and observes strong indications of a systematic practice of pushbacks by Greece.”
She urged the EU Commission, member states, and border agency Frontex to act decisively to prevent further violations and loss of life.
Despite the court’s ruling, political dynamics within the EU suggest Greece may face little more than symbolic reprimands. The governing Nea Demokratia party, which won a sweeping election victory in 2023 on a platform emphasizing strict migration policies, remains aligned with the European People’s Party, the political group of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Critics argue this alignment protects Greece from meaningful consequences. While the European Parliament has previously condemned Greece for alleged rule-of-law violations, the EU Commission under von der Leyen has shown little appetite for enforcement.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has remained steadfast in his defense of border policies, famously declaring himself “unapologetic for defending our borders.” With widespread public support for his tough stance, the ECHR ruling is unlikely to spur major policy changes in Athens.
The ECHR decision underscores the complex interplay between national sovereignty, EU law, and human rights. While Greece’s actions are under fire, many argue the EU has failed to provide viable solutions for managing migration at its borders, leaving countries like Greece to shoulder the burden. For anti-globalist observers, this ruling appears less about justice and more about political posturing by EU elites unwilling to confront the root causes of the crisis.
The debate rages on, with no easy answers in sight.
