Human Rights Watch has raised significant concerns over Greece’s newly proposed immigration bill, pointing out that its provisions could severely hinder the operations of civil society organizations and criminalize humanitarian work. The bill, aimed at amending the nation’s migration code, presents stringent regulations on the registration of NGOs, necessitating a new certification from the Migration Minister for all NGO employees and potentially revoking residence permits based solely on suspicion, an approach that breaches the fundamental presumption of innocence. The details were highlighted in an article by JURIST.
Moreover, the bill introduces severe penalties for those assisting immigrants, such as reclassifying the transportation of undocumented migrants from a misdemeanor to a felony, carrying harsh sentences including a decade in prison and hefty fines. These measures, according to HRW, stigmatize vital humanitarian efforts and may lead to a decline in aid provided to people in need, restricting the right to freedom of association.
Greece has faced scrutiny for its stringent migration laws, with previous reports, including one from the UN, indicating retaliatory measures against those supporting migrants. In 2023, these actions encompassed criminal proceedings and sanctions against aid providers, a pattern criticized in subsequent evaluations by bodies such as the Council of Europe. The European Union’s border protection agency has conducted investigations into potential breaches of human rights by Greek authorities, as detailed in coverage by multiple outlets.
The broader context of this legislation ties into ongoing discussions regarding the balance between national border control and the humanitarian imperative of rescue operations, as states often rely on humanitarian groups to manage these efforts. The discourse surrounding this bill highlights the delicate and often contested role of NGOs in navigating the challenges of migration within Europe.