Early Monday morning, Greek authorities intercepted more than 120 migrants off the coast of Crete, marking the latest in a growing series of arrivals that continue despite the government’s recent suspension of asylum claims and its plans for stricter detention rules. According to the Associated Press and multiple other outlets, two boats—carrying 58 and 68 people respectively and believed to have set out from Libya—were stopped by authorities and the passengers were placed under guard at temporary shelters. This incident followed a weekend in which over 100 other migrants made landfall on Crete after a spell of strong winds subsided, allowing for safer passage.
These new arrivals highlight the persistent pressures on Greece’s migration system, even as the conservative government has moved to tighten its policies. In July 2025, the administration suspended all asylum claims for migrants arriving by sea from North Africa, a move it said was necessary to deter crossings that had spiked to more than 2,500 in a single week. The legislation underpinning this suspension passed in Parliament by a vote of 177-74, despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties who challenged the measure as unconstitutional. Their objections, however, failed to prevent the law’s adoption.
The government’s tough stance has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed “deep concern,” emphasizing that while Greece has the right to manage its borders, “any border control measures must be in line with international and European law.” Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, was even more direct, warning that the Greek response “would legalise returning people to face a risk of torture and other serious violations, in breach of [Greece’s international] obligations.”
Despite these warnings, Greek Migration Affairs Minister Thanos Plevris has defended the policy with urgency, telling lawmakers that as many as 1,000 migrants were arriving daily and describing the situation as an “invasion.” His comments reflect the government’s view that extraordinary circumstances demand extraordinary measures, even as critics argue that such rhetoric and actions risk violating the rights of vulnerable people seeking refuge.
The issue has also sparked tension between the central government and local authorities in Crete. The two sides remain at odds over plans to build a permanent transit facility on the island, which would serve as a processing and detention center for new arrivals. Regional officials have resisted the proposal, citing concerns about local resources and the impact on communities already grappling with the logistical and social challenges of migration.
In an effort to further tighten its migration policy, the government is preparing draft legislation—set to be submitted after the summer recess—that would mandate imprisonment for migrants whose asylum claims are denied. The proposed laws would also require the use of ankle monitors during a 30-day compliance period before deportation. According to reporting from the BBC and other international news outlets, these measures are intended to ensure that rejected asylum seekers do not abscond before they can be returned to their countries of origin.
Greece’s role as a key entry point to the European Union for individuals fleeing conflict and hardship in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia has only intensified in recent years. According to UNHCR data cited by Reuters, arrivals surged in 2024, with more than 60,000 migrants landing in Greece—most by sea—compared to around 48,000 the previous year. By mid-June 2025, the country had already recorded 16,290 new arrivals, including over 14,600 by sea. These numbers underscore the scale of the challenge facing Greek authorities, even as they seek to deter further crossings.
One factor contributing to the latest surge is a shift in smuggling routes. With Greek authorities stepping up patrols along the eastern maritime border with Turkey—a traditional entry point—traffickers are increasingly opting for the longer and more dangerous journey across the central Mediterranean from North Africa. This route, which often begins in Libya, requires larger boats capable of carrying more people, increasing both the risks to migrants and the difficulties for authorities attempting to intercept them.
The government’s emergency measures have not gone unchallenged. International rights groups and humanitarian organizations have voiced alarm at the potential consequences of suspending asylum claims and introducing mandatory detention. The UNHCR’s statement of “deep concern” was echoed by other organizations, who warned that the policies could force migrants back into life-threatening situations in violation of both European and international law.
Michael O’Flaherty’s remarks were particularly pointed: “Such measures could result in migrants being returned to situations where they face torture or serious harm—in violation of Greece’s international obligations.” These concerns have been amplified by left-wing parties within Greece, who continue to argue that the government’s approach undermines the country’s constitutional and moral responsibilities.
Yet the government remains steadfast. Migration Affairs Minister Plevris has repeatedly cited the sheer volume of arrivals as justification for the emergency steps. “Up to 1,000 migrants were arriving daily,” he told Parliament, insisting that the situation resembled an “invasion.” For supporters of the government, such language underscores the urgency and necessity of strong border controls. For critics, it risks dehumanizing those seeking safety and protection.
The proposed legislation mandating detention and ankle monitors for rejected asylum seekers is expected to be hotly debated when Parliament reconvenes after the summer recess. Local officials on Crete, meanwhile, continue to push back against the central government’s plans for a permanent transit center, arguing that the island cannot bear the burden alone. This ongoing conflict reflects broader divisions within Greek society over how best to balance security, humanitarian obligations, and the realities of migration in the Mediterranean.
As Greece prepares to implement its new policies, the broader European context looms large. The country’s actions are being closely watched by other EU member states, many of which are grappling with their own migration challenges. The debate over how to manage borders, protect human rights, and share responsibility for refugees is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. For now, the arrivals on Crete serve as a stark reminder that, despite tougher laws and rhetoric, the forces driving migration across the Mediterranean remain as powerful as ever.
With more boats expected and international scrutiny intensifying, Greece’s next moves will have implications far beyond its own shores.
