Detention as the Default: How Greece, with the support of the EU, is generalizing administrative detention of migrants

Abstract

Putting migrants and asylum seekers into detention for administrative reasons is a common practice in Greece, despite this policy contravening human rights. Greek authorities are using detention and the new EU-funded closed compounds as a way to discourage people from seeking asylum in Europe. Detention, as outlined in Greek law, should only be used as a final resort and only then in specific instances. Detention carries with it not only a financial cost, but also a considerable moral cost. Detention without just cause violates basic human rights, such as freedom of movement, the right to health and the right to family life. Alternatives to detention exist and must be prioritized.

The Greek Asylum Regime: From Latecomer on Reception to Inspirational Model on Asylum Procedures

“…The Vice President of the Commission, Margaritis Schinas, described the Pact as a house with three floors. The first floor is the external dimension; the second floor are the front-line states that apply border 12 Though the law transposes the minimum requirements of EU law, detention became the de facto policy for all new arrivals (Papastergiou, 2021). 13 Five legislative proposals make up the New Pact on Migration and Asylum: the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation; the Screening Regulation; the amended Asylum Procedures Regulation; the amended Eurodac; the Regulation addressing situations of crisis and force majeure.…”