The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights recently highlighted significant concerns about Greece’s treatment of migrants and the human rights of the Roma communities. This comes after Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty’s visit to Greece, where he engaged with various stakeholders such as Greek officials, NGOs, and affected individuals to delve into reports of migrant pushbacks, inadequate living conditions in refugee camps, and systemic discrimination against Roma communities. His visit sought to assess Greece’s treatment of asylum seekers, border operations, and protection of vulnerable populations amid ongoing allegations of human rights violations.
Despite acknowledging the challenges faced by Greece due to its geographical position, which has resulted in increased arrivals of asylum seekers and migrants, Commissioner O’Flaherty commended the authorities for their cautious stance on the status of Syrian asylum seekers. However, he also noted the persistently insufficient levels of European solidarity in addressing these challenges.
A key part of his visit was dedicated to the investigation of the Pylos shipwreck of June 2023, a tragic event where an estimated 750 people perished. O’Flaherty met with the Greek Ombudsman, who had previously reported on the actions and omissions of Coast Guard members during the incident. The Commissioner underscored the importance of ensuring accountability for human rights violations at the borders and urged for implementation of preventative measures to avert such tragedies in the future.
Additionally, the Commissioner expressed grave concerns over the human rights situation of the Roma communities in Greece. O’Flaherty emphasized the need for intensified efforts to honor their rights, highlighting the discrimination and social exclusion faced by Roma individuals. He called on Greek authorities to take tangible steps to enhance the living conditions and integration of Roma communities.
These issues are not new. In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights ruled against Greece for systematically pushing back asylum seekers, mandating compensation for a woman who was forcibly expelled to Türkiye, as reported here. This ruling underscores the ongoing challenges Greece faces regarding its human rights obligations.
For more detailed coverage, JURIST provides ongoing updates and analyses of the situation in Greece and other pertinent human rights issues here.