Greece turns hundreds of migrants back amid Aegean tensions
Greece says it prevented almost 600 migrants from entering its territory in the eastern Aegean Sea on Monday. Athens accuses Turkey of sending the boats deliberately towards its neighbor.
Greece
Mavrovouni camp, Lesbos: No place to welcome a newborn
Already an experienced mother, Nazila* did not expect that giving birth to her fourth baby would come with so many difficulties. But during her pregnancy in a refugee camp in the Greek island of Lesbos, she realized it was no place to welcome a newborn.
Greece: Migrants rescued off Rhodes
More than forty people were reportedly rescued from sinking boats off the Aegean island of Rhodes at the weekend. A blind girl was among the migrants in one inflatable dinghy.
Afghan man acquitted over son's death on journey to Greece
A young Afghan man made to stand trial in Greece after his six-year-old son drowned during a sea crossing has been acquitted. Another man charged with driving the boat was given a suspended sentence.
Greece: Migrants at Samos camp without running water
Since May 6, migrants and asylum seekers in the camp on Samos, which was presented as a model example when it opened in September 2021, have been living without running water, advocacy groups say. Migrants in the camp reportedly receive 4.5 liters of water per person per day to cover all their water needs, from washing to drinking.
Greece accused of pushing back Turkish activists seeking asylum
Greece has faced accusations of illegally pushing asylum seekers back to Turkey for years. Turkish activist fleeing persecution are reportedly among the victims of these pushbacks, facing increasingly hostile Greek border authorities.
Greek coast guard rescues more than 100 migrants in Aegean Sea
The Greek coast guard said it rescued more than 100 migrants near the island of Kos in the Aegean Sea on Saturday, May 8. In total, 106 people were brought ashore, including 14 women and 20 children.
Greece: 1,200 migrant children relocated in two years
Over 1,200 unaccompanied migrant children in Greece have been relocated across 13 European countries as a result of Greece's Voluntary Relocation Program, which now counts two years of operations. Meanwhile, the number of unaccompanied children who sought asylum in the European Union in 2021 jumped by 72%.
NGOs highlight a 'two-tier system for refugees' in Greece
In a report, the Greek Refugee Council, Oxfam and Save the Children criticized Greece for running a "two-tier system for refugees." They say the Greek government’s response to Ukrainian refugees "stands in stark contrast to their approach to asylum seekers from other countries."
Frontex hit by lawsuit amid further allegations over pushbacks
Frontex is losing credibility following further allegations it was involved in pushbacks. Now, the private sea rescue organization Sea-Watch is alleging that the European border agency is implicated in so-called pullbacks near Malta as well, launching legal proceedings at the EU Court in Luxembourg.
Frontex chief offers resignation after further allegations of pushbacks revealed
According to a joint investigation by Lighthouse Reports, several European broadcasters and news organizations, Frontex' very own records appear to show evidence of pushbacks in the Aegean, carried out by Greek authorities. The investigation has prompted Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri to tender his resignation.
Greece: 64 asylum seekers rescued from Evros
Greek police have reportedly rescued a group of asylum seekers, among them 10 children from a tiny island in the Evros river. This comes days after a woman was shot dead at the river separating Turkey from Greece.