The situation of migrants’ rights in Greece – Contribution to the UN Secretary-General’s Report
In October 2025, in the context of the preparation of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Report on the “Human rights of Migrants”, the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) submitted a contribution on the situation of the rights of migrant women and men in Greece. HLHR’s contribution reflects the overall state of migrant protection in Greece, based on legislation, administrative practice, case law, and available data.
The text records serious concerns regarding migration policy and practice in the country and the systematic violations of migrants’ rights. Among other issues, it highlights the increasing criminalisation of migration, the extensive and prolonged use of administrative detention—often without adequate individualised assessment—as well as detention conditions, which have repeatedly been the subject of criticism by international and European monitoring mechanisms.
Particular emphasis is placed on the ongoing practice of pushbacks and on the lack of effective investigation into incidents of violence, ill-treatment, failure to carry out rescue operations, and failure to protect human life, as confirmed by recent judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. The text underlines the risk of the consolidation of a regime of impunity, which undermines the rule of law and accountability.
Particularly concerning are also the conditions relating to unaccompanied minors, who continue to be subjected to de facto detention in reception and identification facilities, often for prolonged periods and under unsuitable conditions, due to shortcomings in accommodation facilities and delays in the appointment of guardians.
At the same time, HLHR’s contribution highlights the structural problems in the residence permit and naturalisation system, marked by extensive delays and the tightening of requirements. These dysfunctions directly affect the daily lives of hundreds of thousands of people and lead many into situations of insecurity and uncertainty.
Read the report HERE.
