Greece’s Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has announced plans to introduce new measures aimed at silencing criticism of the government’s migration policies. The move follows a recent legal victory by civil society groups at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and is seen as part of a broader effort to restrict nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), especially those working on migration. The government appears intent on targeting groups that report on the impact of increasingly harsh immigration measures.
In September, Greece enacted a law criminalizing migrants’ “illegal stay,” which threatens rejected asylum seekers with prison sentences of two to five years. Earlier in July, the government had suspended asylum applications for people arriving by boat from North Africa, a move that violated EU obligations and prompted the ECtHR to order Greece to temporarily suspend the policy. These measures have heightened concerns about the government’s disregard for international human rights standards.
Plevris now seeks to expand restrictions by creating rules that would allow authorities to remove NGOs from the official registry if they legally challenge or oppose migration policies. Greece already has a burdensome NGO registration framework introduced in 2020, which has been criticized by the Council of Europe and UN experts as undermining the right to freedom of association. Such measures risk silencing groups that provide vital oversight and support to vulnerable populations.
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, has repeatedly warned that civil society in Greece faces smear campaigns, legal harassment, threats, and even criminal prosecution. She described the scale of these attacks as “shocking” in a 2023 report. Lawlor also voiced concern over Plevris’ proposed measures, calling them a disturbing form of retaliation against human rights defenders. Her comments were met with hostility from senior government officials, including Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, who mocked her concerns online.
The European Commission has noted in its rule of law reports the shrinking civic space in Greece, particularly for groups supporting migrants and asylum seekers. Human rights advocates argue that the Commission must take a stronger stance, urging Greece to stop targeting civil society organizations and activists.
A strong and independent civil society is essential to any democracy, providing oversight and representing vulnerable voices. Restricting this space not only undermines human rights but also weakens democratic institutions, leaving societies more divided and less resilient.
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